A very variable species that has at times been separated into several species. It is treated as Osyris quadripartita in several publications such as the Flora of China[], but we are following the treatment in the Flora of Tropical Africa[]. It is closely related to Osyris compressa, and has been included in that species in the past, but differs in having alternate leaves and some male flowers[].

Common Name:

General Information

Osyris lanceolata is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually growing 1.2 - 9 metres tall, with occasional specimens to 14 metres[, ]. The bole is 60 - 90cm in diameter at the base[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood and materials. The wood is sold locally and also traded internationally for its essential oil which is used in making perfume[]. The plant is grown as an ornamental - its unusual bark and leaf combination make it an interesting subject amongst other trees in a garden; but due to its untidy growth form it is not an attractive tree in a small garden[].
This species has not yet been evaluated in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, its numbers have been greatly reduced by overexploitation of its roots, which are the source of an expensive essential oil and so its cultivation should be encouraged[].

Known Hazards

Young leaves are poisonous to goats[].

Botanical References

Range

S. Europe - Portugal, Spain; northern, eastern and southern Africa; through Arabia to Indian subcontinent, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos.

Habitat

Dry montane forest in Tanzania[]. Evergreen bushland or scrub, usually in rocky places, also where the original vegetation has been cleared; forest margins; grassland; rocky thickets[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is found in a range of climates from warm temperate in Europe to higher elevations in the tropics of Africa and Asia. It is found at elevations up to 2,550 metres. The plant grows in areas where the mean annual temperature can range from 14 - 22°c, and the mean annual rainfall from 600 - 1,600mm[].
Prefers a well-drained, humus-rich clay or loamy soil in the wild[, ].
A slow-growing tree, it requires the shade of nurse trees in the early phases of its life[].
Plants can flower and produce fruit all year round[, ].
A very variable species, it usually bears both hermaphrodite and male flowers[, ].

Edible Uses

The roots and bark are used to make a tea and are added as a tonic in soups[, ].
The leaves are steamed, dried in the shade and then used to make a tea[].

The fruits are edible[]. Eaten by children, but mainly seen as an emergency food, only eaten when there is nothing better available[, ]. The scarlet/bright red globose drupes are up to 10mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

The roots and bark are used as a tonic in soups[].
The root is boiled in water for about 10 minutes and the liquid given to women after childbirth to control bleeding and boost energy[].

A decoction of the roots is used for treating diarrhoea[, ].

The bark is boiled in water, strained and then boiled again to form a gelatinous mass. This is used in the treatment of bloody dysentery[].
The mass is also applied externally to set dislocated bone, and is put in the eye to relieve inflammation[].
The juice of the bark is used in the treatment of indigestion, and is applied to foreheads to relieve headaches[].

A decoction of the bark and heartwood is used to treat sexually transmitted diseases and anaemia[].

A paste of the fruit is applied to the forehead to relieve headaches[].

The leaves have emetic properties[]. A paste of the leaf buds is applied to cuts and wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is planted for soil conservation[].

Other Uses

The roots and wood are scented and similar to sandalwood (Santalum album)[, ]. They contain an essential oil that is used in perfumery[]. The wood is powdered for use as an incense and in perfumery[].

The bark is a source of tannins[].

The roots are used for making a red dye[, ].

Fibres from the roots are used in basketry[].

The wood is very hard, strong and heavy[, ]. It is used for carvings, grain mortars, pestles, pegs and building poles[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe due to its lshort viability. Pre-treatment is not necessary, but making a nick in the base of the seed prior to sowing improves the germination rate, with 60% of the seed sprouting within 6 weeks[].

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