Common Name:

General Information

Rhamnus prinoides is a dense evergreen shrub or a small tree that grows up to 7.5 metres tall[, ]. When growing as a tree, the bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter[].
A multi-purpose tree, providing edible fruit, medicines, fuel etc[]. It is widely planted in home gardens in Eritrea[]. The plant has very attractive leaves and fruits, it is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

Species in this genus contain hydroxyanthracene derivatives which have a stimulant laxative effect upon the body, and many species are used traditionally as laxatives. In small doses, and for short periods, these can be safe and effective, but used over long periods they can weaken the body's natural ability to defecate and can have a range of long-lasting negative effects upon the body, including anaemia, malabsorption, haematuria and weight loss. Large single doses can cause severe purging.

Botanical References

Range

Africa - mainly eastern Africa from Eritrea and Ethiopia to S. Africa, also in Cameroon, Congo and Angola.

Habitat

Mountain forests, esp. in clearings and along edges; along water courses; in riverine forests; margins of evergreen forests; and also in secondary, mountain evergreen forests and mountain slopes, frequently among rocks[]. Wet forests in Eritrea[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of medium to high elevations in subtropical to tropical areas, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres[]. Found at elevations up to 3,700 metres[]. The plant grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature falls within the range 14 - 22°c, but can tolerate 8 - 32°c[]. Established plants can withstand a fair amount of frost, down to -5°c when in growth and as low as -15°c when dormant[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 800mm, tolerating 500 - 1,200mm and is usually found in areas with a distinct dry season[].
Grows well in light shade under trees and equally well in full sun[]. Succeeds in most soils, but thrives best in moist, humus-rich soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, but tolerates 5 - 7[].
The tree responds well to coppicing[].
Generally slow-growing when in low rainfall areas, though it can grow 1 metre per year in wetter areas[].
The plant has a non-invasive root system[].

Edible Uses

Fruits - raw[, ]. The fruits are about the size of a pea, round and clearly divided into three compartments. They are fleshy and green, turning red and then purple as they ripen[].

The leaves are used as a stimulating flavouring in beer[].
The stems are used as a hops substitute in making beer[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the root is taken as a blood purifier, to treat pneumonia, gonorrhoea rheumatism and stomach-ache and as a gargle[, ].

A leaf decoction may be mixed with the bark of Erythrina abyssinica to alleviate colic[, ].
The leaves are applied as a liniment to simple sprains[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree casts a dense shade, often preventing the growth of other plants around it[]. It also responds well to trimming and can be shaped into a dense shrub[]. It is used for erosion control, growing well on the banks of streams; to provide shelter; as a low wind break; and as a living fence and hedge[].
The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

All the species of Rhamnus contain a mixture of compounds (mainly rhamnetin, quercitin and rhamnazin) that make a range of good quality dyes. The colour and its intensity depend upon what part of the plant is used as dyeing material (leaves, fruits and bark are most commonly used), at what period of growth it is collected and in what state it is used. With the use of the corresponding mordants (alum, copper and iron vitriols, tin dioxide, chromium, etc.) it is possible to obtain virtually the entire spectrum of colours from lemon-yellow to purple and dark cinnamon-brown, from olive-green to intensive blue and violet[].
The dye extracts obtained from the bark, leaves and fruits are suitable for dyeing cottons, silks, woollens, leather, paper and wood. These dyes are often exceptional for their fastness[].

Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the seeds of Rhamnus species are generally rich in fatty oil and several of them are extracted for use as lubricating oils etc[].

The wood is white to yellow, often streaked with brown, pink, red or green[]. It is moderately heavy and hard, close-grained and compact[]. Because of the small size of the timber, it is usually only used to make small articles[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates readily when sown fresh[]. Most of the seeds germinate, taking from 2 - 6 weeks, with some still germinating after 8 weeks. Germination rate is usually 80 - 90%[].

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