Closely related to Ekebergia capensis. The differences separating the two species are slight, but most specimens can be assigned to one or other species without difficulty. A few specimens that are atypical for one character have been collected but genuine intermediates have not been detected[].

Common Name:

General Information

Ekebergia benguelensis is a semi-evergreen tree; it can grow up to 10 metres tall but is frequently stunted and of irregular growth[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use, mainly as a medicine but also for its wood and edible fruit.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Angola, southern DR Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique.

Habitat

Usually in and at the edge of Brachystegia woodland on infertile soils, but ascending higher than the upper limit of these woodlands on mountains[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in infertile soils in the wild[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. The fruit is a bright red drupe around 15mm long and 15mm wide[].

Medicinal

The roots are used in traditional medicine to treat painful menstruation, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and as an aphrodisiac[].

The powdered bark is taken against impotence[],

The boiled leaves are applied to the chest to treat pneumonia[].

Other Uses

The wood is occasionally used for making items such as implements and bowls[].

Propagation

Seed -

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