DISTRIBUTION
The tree is widespread throughout Tanzania in dry wooded bushland and wooded grassland, but is more abundant in coastal and lowland dry woodland. It is found in Arusha, Iringa, Tanga, Tabora, Dodoma, Morogoro, and Coast regions (FAO 1983).
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Minimum Altitude (m): |
15 |
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Maximum Altitude (m): |
2000 |
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Minimum Rainfall (mm): |
250 |
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Maximum Rainfall (mm): |
1270 |
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Minimum Temperature (C): |
14 |
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Maximum Temperature (C): |
30 |
REQUIREMENTS
Soil Requirements: Prefers clay loams, clays, compacted loamy sand, sandy clay loams, and friable clays with laterite horizon (FAO 1983).
PROPAGATION
Means of Propagation: Regenerates naturally by seed, coppice, and root suckers. Nursery seedlings are a good possibility.
Seed Treatments: The oval fruits are about 3 cm long and contain 1 seed each. Fruits are orange or red when ripe. It is possible that seeds need no treatment.
Seedling Management: X. caffra has good seed germination capacity and profuse natural regeneration, but saplings may succumb to prolonged drought or forest fires.
SILVICULTURE
Growth Cycle: Flowers in the dry season towards the onset of the rains. The fruit ripens during the rains.
Management Systems: Partial protection of natural woodland could help promote regeneration.
IMPORTANT USES
Use #1: FRUIT
The ripe fruit pulp is edible, though bitter.
Use #2: OIL
The seed yields a viscous, non-drying oil that has many applications. It is used to soften animal hides, bow strings, and for a general body ointment.
Use #3: GENERAL PURPOSE WOOD
Wood is hard and fine-grained. It is used to make tool handles, spoons and in general construction. It is also used as firewood.
OTHER USES: The roots are used to treat abscess, severe stomach aches, or colic, and against malaria and bilharzia. The tree is also used for syphilis, hookworm, and chest pains (Hedberg 1983). The roots are pounded and boiled with maize flour for porridge which is eaten to prevent sterility in women.
