This taxon is not universally accepted as distinct. Fischer, E., Rembold, K., Althof, A. & Obholzer, J. (2010). In the 'Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Kakamega forest, Western province, Kenya.', Journal of East African Natural History 99: 129-226., recognise it as Macaranga capensis var. kilimandscharica (Pax) Friis & M.G.Gilbert.

Common Name:

General Information

Macaranga kilimandscharica is a semi-deciduous tree, often with a much-branched pyramidal crown and ascending branches when younger, or with a broad, spreading crown as it grows older; it usually grows 4.5 - 18 metrestal though specimens up to 27 metres have been recorded[]. The bole can be straight or fluted[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It is used as a pioneer species for restoring woodland and protecting the soil, and also as a shade tree in coffee plantations.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Sudan, Ethiopia, eastern DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi.

Habitat

A pioneer species of montane and upper montane evergreen forests; it may be locally common to dominant in wetter vegetation types; at elevations from 1,300 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of higher elevations in the tropics, usually found growing at elevations from 1,300 - 3,000 metres. It is generally found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 1,500 - 2,500mm, and the mean annual temperature from 18 - 26°c[].
Grows best in loamy well drained soils[].
A fast-growing tree[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Root extracts are drunk for the treatment of bilharzia, coughs and colds[, ].

A decoction of the leaves is used as a treatment for stomach ailments[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast growing pioneer species of montane evergreen forest, it may be locally common to dominant in wetter vegetation types. It regenerates vigorously in clear-felled areas, secondary forest, forest edges, riverine forest and disturbed places[]. This is a useful pioneer species with potential use in protecting soils on logged sites and restoring native woodland[, ].
Leaf litter from the tree enriches the surrounding soil[].
Regeneration of Ocotea usambarensis is good under M. Kilimandscharica[].
Macaranga is one of the species used in the complex multistoreyed Chagga homegardens. The high species diversity in these gardens minimises drought, pest and economic risks associated with monocultural farm systems.
The tree is sometimes used to provide shade in coffee pla, 364ntations[].

Other Uses

The pink wood is soft, straight grained. It is difficult to saw and apt to split in seasoning. The wood has been used for timber, making boxes, crates, knife sheaths, beehives, stools etc[, ]. Dry wood from macaranga have been used for fencing[].
The wood is used for fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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