Torchwood minor, Small torchwood
Balanites pedicellaris

Family: Zygophyllaceae

What it is like

A very dense shrub. It can grow to 9 m high. It has thin drooping branches. These have long un-forked spines. The bark is light grey and often spiny. The leaves are made up of 2 leaflets without stalks. They leaves are grey-green. The leaflets are oval and 4 cm long with rounded tips. They narrow towards the base. The leaves dry with obvious wrinkles. The small branches end with spines and often leaves grow on these. The buds are small and triangular. They occur in bunches in the axils of leaves. The flowers are greenish-yellow and long fairly stout stalks. The fruit are 2.5 cm long. They are brilliant orange-red when ripe. They are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and warm places. It can grow in dry salty soils. It grows from sea level to 1,700 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are reported to be eaten after very long boiling. They are boiled for 8-9 hours with the water being changed about 10 times. The inner part of the seeds are cooked and eaten. Caution: Eating fresh fruit causes dizziness and vomiting.

The fruit are not widely used.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. It is best to plant the seeds directly in the field.

Its other names

Local names

Baddan, Chindzole, Elamach, Kalum, Kiwowa, Kullan Liphambo, Loma, Lomion, Mubadana, Sarai, Umnunu

Synonyms

Balanites australis Brem.;