Boscia salicifolia

Oliv.

Willowed-leaved Boscia

Capparaceae Edible: Berries, Fruit, Leaves, Root, Bark, Flowers, Seeds 50 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Boscia salicifolia is a deciduous tree with narrowly ovate to linear leaves that grows up to 12 meters in height, it is within the Capparaceae family.

Description

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.

Edible Uses

The fruit is occasionally eaten after long boiling, seeds are eaten cooked or added to soups, young leaves are occasionally eaten, and roots are occasionally eaten after frying.

Traditional Uses

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.

Medicinal Uses

In some parts of Africa, the leaves of Boscia salicifolia are prepared as a vegetable soup. In traditional medical practice, plant extracts are utilized to help heal wounds, used as a dewormer and as a decoction to treat tuberculosis, joint pains and ear infections. Root bark extracts is used as an aphrodisiac.

Distribution

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.

Where It Grows

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,

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability and needs to be sown as soon as possible. Does not require pre-treatment, germinating quickly and well.

Other Uses

The wood is used as poles in traditional buildings. The wood is used for fuel.

Notes

There are 37 Boscia species.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Leaves raw	3.1	343	82	1.6	—	—	—	—
Fruit	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Root	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Bark	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Flowers	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Synonyms

Boscia powellii Sprague et M. L. Green

Also Known As

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

References (27)

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Addis, G., et al, 2013, The Role of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants in Household Food Sovereignty in Hamer and Konso Communities, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research & Applications. 11:251-271
Bahru, T., et al, 2013, Wild Edible Plants: Sustainable Use and Management by Indigenous Communities in and the Buffer Area of Awah National Park, Ethiopia. Ethiop. J. Sci., 36(2): 93-108
Belem, M., et al, 2017, Strategy of Conservation and Protection of Wild Edible Plants Diversity in Burkina Faso. ANADOLU 27 (2) 2017, 82- 90
Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 62

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MORTIMORE
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