Commiphora tenuipetiolata
Engl.
Satin-bark corkwood
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(c) Francois du Randt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Francois du Randt
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(c) Reuben Heydenrych, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Reuben Heydenrych
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Description
A shrub or tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows up to 8-12 m tall. The bark is pale grey and peels off. The bark is blue-green underneath. The leaves have 3 leaflets or 2-4 pairs along the stalk with one at the end. The leaflets are narrowly oval. There can be teeth along the edge. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The flowers are small and yellowish-green. They are in clusters on long stalks. The fruit are round and red when ripe.
Edible Uses
The round red fruit are eaten when ripe.
Distribution
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in areas with a rainfall less than 600 mm per year and with a marked dry season. It is often on sandy or stony soil over limestone. It grows between 300-1,500 m above sea level. It can tolerate frost. It can grow in arid places.
Where It Grows
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe,
Also Known As
Bloustam, Mukwendekwende, Munyera, Mutahadzi
References (4)
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1999). Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) database. Published on the Internet; http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal/internet [Accessed 5th April 2011]
- Sullivan, S., 1998, People plants and practice in drylands: Socio-political and ecological dimensions of resource-use by Damara farmers in north-west Namibia. Ph.D. Univ. College London. p 24
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- www.zimbabweflora.co.zw 2011
