Common Name:

General Information

Markhamia zanzibarica is a shrub or small, often straggling tree growing 2 - 10 metres tall[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber and local medicinal uses. Very ornamental, its relatively slow rate of growth and its small size makes it suitable for small gardens and courtyards[].
Markhamia zanzibarica has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

East Africa - Somalia, south to S. Africa.

Habitat

Dry lowland forest, riverine forest, open woodland and savannah[]. Bushveld; riverine fringes; often on rocky ridges and on hill slopes. Commonly found growing among rocks on dry slopes[]. Found at elevations from near sea level to 1,500 metres[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Ants
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the subtropical to tropical areas of the drier tropics. It can tolerate occasional light frosts, but is very sensitive to severe frost and cold[].
Prefers a warm, sunny position in a well-drained, fertile soil[].
Plants grow back quickly after being cut, so should coppice well[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is dried and pounded for use as medicine for venereal diseases especially syphilis[].

The roots are used to cure stomach-ache[].
The roots are used in traditional medicine to treat backache[].

Other Uses

The pale brown to yellowish wood is fairly hard and durable, finely grained and produces a smooth finish. It is used in buildings for roof timbers and to make tool handles, bedsteads, spoons, building poles, posts etc[, ]. It is well suited for carving ornamental items[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in a nursery seedbed or individual containers and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 3 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual containers as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when 25cm or more tall.
Cuttings can be taken of quite long branches, planting directly into the soil at the beginning of the wet season.

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