Common Name: Yeheb

General Information

Cordeauxia edulis is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a deep taproot and growing 2.5 - 4 metres tall[, ].
The seed is a very important food in its native area - indeed it can be the sole source of sustenance in difficult seasons[]. It is widely gathered from the wild and is often sold in local markets[]. It has recently been trialled as a crop, having shown potential as a food crop, being especially suited to hot dry areas of uncertain rainfall[, ].
The plant has become an endangered species in the wild due to overexploitation[]. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northeastern tropical Africa - Somalia, Ethiopia.

Habitat

Dry areas[]. Semi-arid scrub on coarse, deep red sands with a water table at 6.5 - 25.5 metres and at an elevation of 100 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland arid tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 25 - 30°c, but can tolerate 20 - 38°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 200 - 400mm, but tolerates 100 - 600mm[]. In more humid climates, plants produce more vegetative growth, but often at the expense of fruiting[].
Requires a sunny position in a light, very well-drained soil[, ]. Succeeds in poor soils that are extremely low in nitrogen[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 6 - 8.4[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
Early aerial growth of young plants is slow until the massive root system is established[]. Plants only 1cm tall can have roots 15cm or more long[].
Plants begin to bear well when 3 - 4 years old[]. Plants begin to bear prolifically when only 1 - 1.2 metres tall[].
Yields of around 5 kg of seeds per shrub can be achieved[]. Such is the demand and free access to all wild plants that the fruits are often collected from the shrubs before they are fully mature[].
Plants can live for 200 years or more[].
A very deep rooted tree[].
The tree has somewhat fleshy leaves that stain the fingers red on being rubbed[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw, roasted or boiled as a vegetable[]. A sour flavour when eaten fresh or dried, but they have a sweetish, agreeable, chestnut-like taste after roasting[]. The seeds may also be boiled for a sweet liquor[]. The size of a large filbert with a smooth consistency and a delicious chestnut-like flavour[, ]. Nutritious[]. The seed has a thin, easily broken shell[]. The carbohydrate and protein content of the seeds is lower than in pulses and other
legumes, but they are richer in sugars and fats, hence providing a balanced diet and high energy[].

The seeds have been mentioned as a coffee substitute[].

An infusion of the leaves is used as a tea substitute[, , , ].

Medicinal

Cordeauxiaquinone, a substance found in the leaves and other parts of the plant, is used medicinally to stimulate haemopoensis[].

Cordeauxia edulis is said to regulate gastric secretion and to permit treatment of ulcers due to hot food. It is also believed to alleviate anaemia by augmenting the number of red blood cells[].

Other Uses

The plant contains cordeauxiaquinone, a brilliant red dye which is unknown elsewhere in the plant kingdom[, ]. Cordeauxiaquinone produces fast, insoluble dyes with some metals and is used as a mordant in dyeing factories[]. The bones of animals that browse the plant become pink due to the cordeauxiaquinone[].

A substance between liquid oil and fat, less pleasant than olive oil but useful for soap making, is extracted from it[]. I assume it is extracted from the seed[].
The seed oil is useful for soap making[].

The wood is used for firewood[, ]. A hard wood, it burns well even when still wet[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, when germination is usually good[]. The viability is low if the seed is stored for a few months; however, seeds coated in wood ash and stored in a sack are reputed to remain viable for at least a year[]. Germination is rapid, but subsequent growth of the aerial parts is very slow, especially in the seedling stage, whereas the root system grows rapidly. Plants 60cm tall may already have roots 2 metres long[].
Sowing in situ is recommended because problems exist with moving seedlings from the nursery due to rapid tap-root development[].
Vegetative propagation possible.

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