Ekebergia capensis

Ekebergia capensis is a tree in the family Meliaceae. It is commonly known as the Cape ash. Its range extends from the Eastern Cape of South Africa to Sudan and Ethiopia. It has been introduced onto Ascension Island.

Description

A tall tree. The leaves are densely clustered. The leaves have up to 6 pairs of leaflets. They are opposite with a leaflet at the end. The leaflets are broadly sword shaped. They narrow to the tip. They are 8 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The flowering shoots are in the axils of leaves. They are 12 cm long and branched. The flowers are greenish-white. The fruit is slightly fleshy and pink. They are round and 1 cm across.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. Not much liked. Not very palatable. The pink to red-brown or deep red fruit is a globose to ellipsoid drupe from 10 - 30mm long containing 2 - 4 stones,each stone usually containing 1 seed.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The bark, roots and leaves are widely used in traditional medicine. Much research has been carried out into the active compounds in the plant and this research has tended to support the traditional uses. The growth of both drug-resistant and drug-sensitive strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was inhibited by bark extracts of Ekebergia capensis at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml. Bark extracts showed antiplasmodial activity against both chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. In-vivo tests have shown significant suppression of chloroquine-tolerant Plasmodium berghei by both bark and leaf extracts. Several antiplasmodial triterpenoids have been isolated from the bark. Methanol extracts of the bark showed pronounced antibacterial activity against several bacteria. Extracts of the wood have shown uterotonic activity on uterine smooth muscle - the active compounds isolated were identified as oleanonic acid and 3- epioleanolic acid. Leaf extracts have shown antioxidant activity. Seed extracts have shown significant in-vitro anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus, supporting the traditional use as an anthelmintic for livestock in Ethiopia. Limonoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids and phenolic compounds have also been isolated from the plant The seeds contain the limonoid ekebergin as their main constituent. The bark is astringent, emetic and vermifuge. Decoctions, infusions and macerations are taken to treat a range of conditions including gastritis, heartburn, dysentery, epilepsy and gonorrhoea. The bark is used externally to treat a range of skin complaints including ulcers, abscesses, boils, scabies, acne, pimples and itching. A powder prepared with the bark is sniffed against headache, colds and sinusitis. The roots are diuretic and expectorant. A decoction is used to treat kidney problems, dysentery, headaches, heartburn, chronic coughs and other respiratory complaints. The charred and pulverized roots are sniffed as a means of relieving headaches and blocked noses. The leaves are vermifuge. Macerations are used both internally and externally in the treatment of headaches, fevers, coughs and skin complaints. The leaves are used as a remedy for intestinal worms. The wood is used by Zulu peopleto facilitate childbirth.

Known Hazards

Bark and roots have been used as ordeal poisons. The bark contains the toxic compound 8-methoxy 4-methyl coumarin.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry forest on well-drained soil. It grows in savannah woodland and along rivers. It grows between 600-3,000 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,670 m above sea level. It grows in areas with a mean annual rainfall of 750-2,000 mm. In the Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahel, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from fresh seeds. The seeds germinate in 4-9 weeks. Soaking the seeds then rubbing them improves germination. Seeds cannot be stored for long. It can be grown by cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak stored seeds in water for a day and then scrub with a brush to remove the fleshy part. Sow in trays filled with river sand or normal potting soil, plant not deeper than 5mm. They germinate in 4 - 8 weeks. Tip or hardwood cuttings can be planted in trays filled with river sand or can be planted directly into the ground as truncheons.

Other Uses

The bark contains about 7.2% tannins. The wood is pinkish when freshly cut, turning whitish or pale brown on drying, the sapwood and heartwood are not clearly defined. The texture varies from fine to coarse; the grain is straight; sometimes figured. The wood is medium-weight to moderately heavy, soft and not very durable. It nails easily, though it tends to split; is easy to work with both hand and machine tools; it planes to a smooth surface and takes a fair polish; boring and mortising do not cause problems. With its straw colour, it makes attractive furniture. A general utility wood, it is also used for light construction, joinery, figured veneer, plywood, poles, tool handles, interior trim, ship building, vehicle bodies, sporting goods, toys, novelties, vats, food containers, boxes, crates, matches, etc. The wood is used as fuel and to make charcoal. The tree is used to provide a windbreak. The tree is used for soil conservation and stabilization. The trees can be intercropped with coffee and bananas in order to provide shade and protection from the wind.

Production

It is fast growing.

Other Information

The fruit are eaten by children.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Aiceria, Inyamanti, Itoma, Kudekuda, Magwedia, Manenae, Marnenae, Messequine, Mudanhatsindi, Mutomana, Muvhuranyimo, Nhamare, Nhamauira, Nodope, Olooncho, Sheru, Somboo

References (20)

• Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 47
• https://growwild.co.za Edible Indigenous plants
• INFOODS:FAO/INFOODS Databases
• Lulekal, E., et al, 2011, Wild edible plants in Ethiopia: a review on their potential to combat food insecurity. Afrika Focus - Vol. 24, No 2. pp 71-121
• Mairura, F.S., 2008. Ekebergia capensis Sparrm. [Internet] Record from Protabase. Louppe, D., Oteng-Amoako, A.A. & Brink, M. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa), Wageningen, Netherlands. < http://database.prota.org/search.htm>. Accessed 15 October 2009.

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