Waginos
Brucea antidysenterica

Family: Simaroubaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It only has a few branches. It grows about 6-9 m tall. The bark is grey and there are heart shaped leaf scars. The leaves are alternate and usually crowded near the ends of the younger twigs. The leaves are 10-65 cm long and compound. They have 2-6 pairs of leaflets along the stalk and one at the end. The flowering shoots are 5-35 cm long. The male and female flowers are separate on separate flowering shoots. The flowers are very small and green.

There are about 10 Brucea species. Possibly edible. Also in Rutaceae family. It contains a chemical called Bruceantin that helps kill amoeba causing dysentery. The bark, fruit and leaves are used. It helps control malaria parasites. It has anticancer properties.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows as an understorey plant in the rainforest. It suits humid locations. In Malawi it grows between 1,400-2,800 m altitude. It continues growing in the dry season.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Malawi, Nigeria, Sudan, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

The bark is used as a bitter flavouring.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Bark - spice, fruit, medicine

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seed can be stored for over a year.

Its other names

Local names

Hadhawwaa, Hadhowa

Synonyms

Brucea ferruginea