Common Name: Kamyuye

General Information

Kamyuye is an erect or scrambling shrub-like perennial growing up to 4 metres tall[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit, various medicinal uses, and essential oil. It is sometimes grown as a hedge and has also been planted on an experimental basis in Uganda for its essential oil, which is of potential use in perfumery.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Senegal to Eritrea and Somalia, through Africa south to S. Africa and Madagascar.

Habitat

Secondary, fringing and savannah forest, on river-banks and on old cultivation sites[]. Tropical and subtropical open woodland[]. Open Brachystegia woodland and grassland at elevations from 700 - 1,540 metres in Zimbabwe[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Bees, butterflies
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in tropical and subtropical climates[]. In Tanzania it grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,100 - 1,800mm[].
Requires a well-drained soil, growing well in full sun[]. Thrives in a variety of soils[].
Plants respond well to being cut back, even to the ground, to promote new growth[].
The plant often regenerates and flowers after fire[].
The leaves are reported to have a strong unpleasant scent, which is alleged to repel bees and is thus utilized in the collection of honey[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, , ]. It has a soft, very sweet pulp[]. The bright-coloured fruits are tasty[]. Liked especially by children, the fruits are usually only eaten in small or moderate amounts since large quantities can cause nausea because of the excessive amount of sugar they contain[]. The fruit is a yellow, rounded ribbed berry about 6mm across, containing four roughened nutlets[].

Tender young leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[, ]. An aromatic flavour[].

Medicinal

The plant is antipyretic and diuretic[]. It is used as a remedy for skin diseases and as an antidote against snake-bites[].

The leaves and roots are boiled and the steam inhaled for treating fevers and mental illness[].
The leaves are pounded, soaked in cold water, then used as a cooling bath for babies who have fever[].
The pounded leaves are used as a poultice for wounds[].

The roots are boiled and the decoction drunk as an aphrodisiac; as a remedy for colds and coughs; and to relieve after-birth pains[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Responsive even to severe cutting back, the plant is used for hedges and as boundary markers[].

Other Uses

An essential oil, known as 'Kamynye oil', is obtained from the plant[]. It has an aroma resembling that of vanilla[]. It has been recommended as a fixative in perfumery[].
The leaves are reported to have a strong unpleasant scent, which is alleged to repel bees[].

The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -
Stem cuttings.

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