Balanites rotundifolia

Balanites rotundifolia, known in Swahili as Mbamba ngoma is a spiny bush or small tree from eastern Africa and southern Arabia. It is a member of the caltrop family, Zygophyllaceae.[citation needed]

Balanites rotundifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Zygophyllales
Family: Zygophyllaceae
Genus: Balanites
Species:
B. rotundifolia
Binomial name
Balanites rotundifolia
(Tiegh.) Blatt.[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Agialid rotundifolia Tiegh.
  • Balanites gillettii Cufod.
  • Balanites orbicularis Sprague
  • Balanites patriziana Lusina

Description

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Balanites rotundifolia is a small tree or shrub with a multi-stemmed growth form and spiny branches which grows to 2-5m. The small, round or heart shaped leaves are green, rather hairy, grow in pairs and lack stalks. The stout thorns are green, straight and grow to 3 cm in length. The greenish white flowers grow from the thorns and the small hairy fruit is 2 cm in length.[2] When the fruit is ripe it is orange-yellow in colour.[3]

Distribution

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Balanites rotundifolia is found in eastern Africa from Somalia and Somaliland into Sudan, and also in Yemen, specifically Aden.[3][4]

Habitat and ecology

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Balanites rotundifolia occurs in arid tree savanna or scrub; semi-desert scrub; deciduous bushland and open woodland. It is often found growing in thin soils over lava or near rivers; it can be the dominant species in some habitats such as raised beaches over sandstones.[4] Fruiting in Kenya occurs in February and in October and November.[2] Often grows in association with Acacia, Commiphora or Combretum in arid areas.[3] The flowers are pollinated by bees.[4]

Uses

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Fruit

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The ripe fruit has an edible and sweet pulp, the ripe fruits are either picked from the tree or gathered from the ground. The fruits are eaten as a snack, particularly by herdsmen.[4] The seeds are edible if they are boiled for 3–4 hours, they are normally eaten with milk. The fruit pulp is fermented to make a local brew.[2]

Smoking

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The wood is used to smoke food for flavour and to sterilise milk containers.[2]

Balanites rotundifolia is the source of a gum resin called Hanjigoad, which is used for chewing and is collected as tears or globular pieces.[5]

Wood

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The wood is used as firewood and to make charcoal. It is fashioned into poles, tool handles, carvings, utensils (e.g. head rests, wooden spoons and combs).[2]

Fodder

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The leaves and shoots provide fodder for domestic animals in very arid areas.[3]

Other uses

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It is used for live fencing and the cut branches are used to make fences, it is also planted in soil conservation projects.[2] There are no known medicinal applications.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Balanites rotundifolia (Tiegh.) Blatt". The Plant List. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Patrick Maundu; Bo Tengnäs (2005). Useful Trees and Shrubs for Kenya (PDF). World Agroforestry Centre. p. 118. ISBN 9966-896-70-8.
  3. ^ a b c d "Balanites rotundifolia". Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Balanites rotundifolia". Useful Tropical Plants. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  5. ^ The Imperial Institute (1914). "Some Economic Products of Somaliland". The Bulletin of the Imperial Institute. XII: 11–27.