Common Name: Wild Pear

General Information

Dombeya rotundifolia is a much-branched, deciduous shrub or a small tree with a light and usually rounded crown; usually growing up to 9 metres tall with occasional specimens to 15 metres[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild mainly for local medicinal use and for its timber. It has ornamental value and is an excellent avenue tree. It can be trained as a bonsai[].
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eastern and southern Africa - Ethiopia, south to Angola, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland.

Habitat

Grassland, woodland and forest, often on termite mounds, usually at elevations from 1,000 - 2,250 metres, but descending almost to sea level in the south of its range[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Mature plants can tolerate at least some frost[, ].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[]. In cultivation, species in this genus generally grow best in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil and a position in full sun or partial shade[].
A fast-growing tree, it can grow 1 - 1.5 metres in a year[, ].
Mature trees have a dark brown, very rough and corky bark that forms a protective, fire resistant layer around the trunk[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[, ]. I am somewhat dubious of this report - the plant produces a seed capsule[].

Flowers - cooked and eaten as a side dish to which pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita spp.) are sometimes added[].

Medicinal

Dombeya rotundifolia is often used in traditional medicine and research has shown the presence of a number of medically active compounds in the plant. Tannins are present in the leaf and young shoot, saponins in the bark, and cardiac glycosides in the leaf, shoot and bark[].
Ethanolic and dichloromethane extracts of the leaves and young shoots have shown anti-inflammatory activity; antibacterial activity was highest in the ethanolic extracts[].

The roots are used as a general purgative[]. A decoction is drunk as a treatment against stomach pain. An infusion is drunk to treat syphilis, and the root is also used in the treatment of infertility[]. The boiled root is pounded and soaked in water, and the liquid is drunk by children to treat diarrhoea[].
Boiled roots are applied externally to treat rheumatism[].

A bark decoction is drunk in the treatment of dizziness, meningitis, chest complaints, palpitations, cardiac weakness, fever, irregular periods, to hasten the onset of labour, and against nausea in pregnant women[].

Infusions of the bark, wood, stems, leaves or roots are taken orally or applied as enema to treat intestinal ulcers, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea and stomach problems[].

The leaves are used in the treatment of headaches[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are visited by bees that use the nectar to produce pale amber-coloured honey[].

Other Uses

The bark from young shoots is made into rope[, , ].

The wood is bluish grey; the grain is interlocked; the texture fine. The wood is heavy, strong, tough and durable[]. It has limited potential as a general purpose timber, however, because the pieces available are usually too small and twisted[]. The wood and the strong but flexible branches are made into furniture, poles, mine props, bows, tool handles and ornaments[, , ].
The wood can be used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in deep seed trays in a semi-shaded position, The seed usually germinates within 3 weeks[, ]. Prick out the seedlings into individual containers once the first true leaves have formed and grow on in light shade[].
Cuttings of semi-ripe wood, preferably with some bottom heat to encourage rooting[].

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