Willowed-leaved Boscia
Boscia salicifolia

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It can grow to 15 m high. It loses its leaves during the year. The bark is dark grey, rough and flaky. The leaves are alternate, long and narrow. They are 7-15 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. They are dull green and leathery. They remain finely hairy underneath. They taper to both ends. The flowers do not have petals. The stamens are yellowish-green. The fruit is round and 2 cm across. They are smooth and yellow when ripe. They have 1-3 seeds. The seeds are brown and 1 cm across.

There are 37 Boscia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and the highlands. It grows on termite mounds and in dry types of woodland. It grows in the Sahel. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 200-400 mm per year and it is resistant to drought. It grows between 200-1,800 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, Congo, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sahel, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are occasionally eaten. They need to be boiled for a long time. The seeds are eaten after cooking. They are also added to soups. The young leaves are occasionally eaten. The roots are occasionally eaten after being fried.

Edible parts

Berries, fruit, leaves, root, bark, flowers, seeds

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds. Seedlings have a tendency to damp off.

Its other names

Local names

Kitshagass, Legel, Mbwebzebze, Mguluka, Mguruka, Mniniado, Mtukuli, Mudaqelle, Mudemarara, Muguka, Muluka, Mungezi, Murunganyama, Musasa, Musauti, Mutalako, Mutiri, Mvuuti, Tientirgaye

Synonyms

Boscia powellii Sprague et M. L. Green;