White syringa, Mountain kirkia, Common kirkia
Kirkia acuminata

Family: Kirkiaceae

What it is like

It is a deciduous tree. It grows 6-16 m tall. It has a clean trunk. The branches are straight. The bark is grey and smooth when young but becomes corrugated in old age. The leaves are 10-45 cm long. The leaves have 6-10 pairs of leaflets. They are larger towards the tip. The leaflets are 2-8 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The flowering stalks are branched and hairy with several flowers. The flowers are pale green to cream and of 2 forms some being male and others female. The fruit are 1-2 cm long and about 1 cm wide. They are woody.

It is also put in the family Simaroubaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland on well drained soils. It is usually at about 1,200 m altitude but can grow up to 1,500 m altitude. It can grow on rocky soils and in a range of other soil types. They are drought resistant but damaged by frost. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The swollen root is chewed to quench thirst.

Edible parts

Roots - water, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds are sown in sand. They germinate in 8-14 days. Seedlings can be planted out at the 2 leaf stage. It can also be grown from large cuttings of branches.

Plants are fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Mubvumba, Mubvumira, Mulembalemba, Mutsakaridze, Mutuhwa, Mutumbi, Tumbue, Umila, Umvumile, Witsering

Synonyms

Kirkia pubescens Burtt Davy;