DISTRIBUTION
This shrub or tree under 7 m is found only in the very driest savannas. Widespread in all arid areas of Tanzania including wooded grasslands, Miombo woodlands, and saline thorn bushlands. It is found in Dodoma, Longodo Game Area, Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara, Morogoro, and Tanga (Rulangaranga 1989). A. mellifera prefers sites in dry bush, in clayey soils, and in stony soil (Pitman and Palmer 1972). It is found on rocky hill sides with rainfall, or along seasonal water courses mixed with other trees.
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Minimum Altitude (m): |
0 |
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Maximum Altitude (m): |
1500 |
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Minimum Rainfall (mm): |
250 |
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Maximum Rainfall (mm): |
700 |
REQUIREMENTS
Soil Requirements: Found on hard surfaced, sandy-clay soils and rocky hill sides. Grows well in black cotton soils (Westman, Draft). Prefers loamy soils (don Maydell 1986).
Influential Factors: Can form dense impenetrable thickets (Palgrave 1988).
PROPAGATION
Means of Propagation: Direct sowing by seed, wildlings.
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Seeds per kg: |
20000 |
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Seed Sources: |
1500 TSH per kg - Tanzania National Centre 1991. |
Seed Treatments: Pods are small, containing 2 or 3 seeds each, and grow in abundance. To break dormancy soak in concentrated H2SO4 for 5 to 15 minutes (don Carlowitz 1986).
SILVICULTURE
Planting Types: Live fences and boundary plantings. It is recommended as an agroforestry species in Tanzania.
Growth Cycle: Spreads rapidly.
Management Systems: Coppicing, though it was reported by Dale and Greenway (1961) that it does not coppice well. It is a difficult species to kill with bark spray arboricides (Dale and Greenway 1961).
IMPORTANT USES
Use #1: BUILDING MATERIALS
It is well-known as a durable material for construction, house building, and fencing. In Dodoma it is used to make support poles for grapes. It is termite resistant.
Use #2: MEDICINE
The liquid of boiled bark is used to treat stomach problems, sterility, pneumonia, malaria, and syphilis (Rulangaranga 1989).
Use #3: LIVE FENCE
Makes very good live fences and hedges. Goats often browse the leaves which are high in protein (don Maydell 1986).
