Common Name:

General Information

Dalbergia saxatilis is usually a vigorous climbing shrub producing stems up to 20 metres long, though sometimes it remains smaller, growing as a shrub only 2 - 3 metres tall[, ]. The stem is usually up to 5cm in diameter near the base, but can occasionally reach 15cm[]. The branches are very tortuous, with some of them modified as woody spine hooks[].
The plant is harvested from the wild, mainly for local medicinal use and for its wood. It is sometimes used as a leafy vegetable, and is occasionally sold in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Senegal to DR Congo, south to Angola.

Habitat

A climbing shrub in rainforest, or a shrub in waste land and brushwood; also in gallery forest; mixed forests; regrowths; thickets; forest-cleared places; edge of short-grass savannah; deciduous and dry forests; old farms; sea-level to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus are mainly found in the wild growing in sany soils and on limestone escarpments[]. In cultivation they are likely to do well in a fertile, loam soil and a position in full sun[].
There are conflicting reports on whether or not this tree has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, so it is unclear as to whether this tree fixes atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

Tender young leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[]. A glutinous texture[].

Medicinal

The plant is used as an anthelmintic and abortifacient, and also to treat leprosy[].

Other Uses

The wood is occasionally used locally for hoe and axe handles[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
Softwood cuttings of many species, especially if taken from younger plants, will root in a well-drained, sandy medium in a closed case with bottom heat[].

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