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Useful Tropical Plants

Ximenia caffra

Sond.

Olacaceae


This taxon is not universally accepted as a distinct species. In the African Plant Database and several other works it is treated as a variety of Ximenia americana as Ximenia americana caffra (Sond.) Engl[
328
Title
African Flowering Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].

+ Synonyms

Ximenia americana caffra (Sond.) Engl.

Common Name:

Ximenia caffra
Fruiting tree
Photograph by: Bernard DUPONT
Creative Commons License
Ximenia caffra Ximenia caffra Ximenia caffra Ximenia caffra Ximenia caffra

General Information

Ximenia caffra is a semi-parasitic, spiny, sparsely-branched, deciduous shrub or a small tree with an untidy, open crown; it can grow up to 6 metres tall[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
The edible fruit is generally highly valued within the plant's native range, where it is commonly harvested from the wild for local use. The plant also has local medicinal uses. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental and is used in living fences[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

308
Title
Flora Zambesiaca
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants.

Range

Eastern and southern Africa - Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola to Mozambique, south to S. Africa; also in various Pacific Islands.

Habitat

Dry lowland woodland, wooded grassland; coastal bushland; alluvial Acacia woodland and bushland; Euphorbia woodland; riverine bushland at elevations up to 2,000 metres[
328
Title
African Flowering Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitDeciduous Tree
Height5.00 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics where it can be found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It grows in areas where the mean annual temperature is within the range 14 - 30°c and can tolerate light to moderate frosts. It prefers a mean annual rainfall within the range 250 - 1,270mm[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
Requires a sunny position[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. It succeeds on clay loams, clays, compacted loamy sand, sandy clay loams, and friable clays with laterite horizon[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. Established plants are drought tolerant[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth, increasing in height by up to 50cm a year[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
Plants in the wild often reproduce profusely from seed[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Plants respond well to coppicing and also produce suckers[
392
Title
Indigenous multipurpose trees of Tanzania.
Publication
 
Author
Hines. D.A. & Eckman. K.
Publisher
 
Year
1993
ISBN
0-9697075-0-9
Description
A simple handbook with information on over 50 species of trees found in Tanzania giving details of environmental requirements, cultivation needs, uses etc. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
This plant is partly parasitic, and will grow better once in the ground where it can make contact with other plant roots[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
The root system is non-aggressive[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. Best eaten when slightly over-ripe, the thin flesh has a refreshing, acid flavour and an almond-like scent[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. Another report says they have a sweet flavour[
398
Title
Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania
Publication
 
Author
Ruffo, C.K.: Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B.
Publisher
Regional Land Management Unit; Nairobi.
Year
2002
ISBN
9966-896-60-0
Description
A very well presented, simple guide to growing and utilizing wild food plants in Tanzania, with line drawings of each plant, a description, habitat and range, non-food as well as food uses, plus basic information on growing the plants.
]. A refreshing drink can be prepared by squeezing the fruits in water and adding sugar[
398
Title
Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania
Publication
 
Author
Ruffo, C.K.: Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B.
Publisher
Regional Land Management Unit; Nairobi.
Year
2002
ISBN
9966-896-60-0
Description
A very well presented, simple guide to growing and utilizing wild food plants in Tanzania, with line drawings of each plant, a description, habitat and range, non-food as well as food uses, plus basic information on growing the plants.
]. Rich in vitamin C[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. The oval fruit is a deep-red colour with white spots; it is around 25mm long[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].

Seed[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].

The seed contains up to 65% oil[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. Reports do not mention it as being edible, even though the seed is eaten[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Medicinal

The leaves are vermifuge. The powdered dried leaves are taken orally for treating fever and infertility, whilst extracts of the leaves are used as a gargle for soothing tonsillitis[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
A decoction from the leaves is used as a wash to soothe inflamed eyes[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. The pounded leaves are used as poultices for treating wounds and boils[
398
Title
Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania
Publication
 
Author
Ruffo, C.K.: Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B.
Publisher
Regional Land Management Unit; Nairobi.
Year
2002
ISBN
9966-896-60-0
Description
A very well presented, simple guide to growing and utilizing wild food plants in Tanzania, with line drawings of each plant, a description, habitat and range, non-food as well as food uses, plus basic information on growing the plants.
].

Infusions of the roots are used as a remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea and, combined with the leaves, are taken as a remedy for colic, abdominal pain, malaria, coughs and bilharziasis[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. The powdered root is used in soup and in beer as an aphrodisiac, whilst a decoction is used to remedy infertility[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
A porridge made using a decoction of the roots with maize flour is eaten once a day as a remedy for nausea in pregnancy and to prevent sterility in women[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
Powdered roots are applied to sores, abcesses etc to speed up healing[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].

The roasted and pounded seeds are used as a poultice for healing wounds[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes grown as part of a boundary screen and living fence[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].

Other Uses

The seed contains up to 65% oil[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. The roasted seeds are mashed in the mortar yielding a viscous, non-drying oil[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. The oil is applied to the hair to darken its colour and help straighten it[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. The oil from the seeds is used for lighting; to soften bowstrings; make cosmetic products locally; and as a general body ointment to soften the skin[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].

The heartwood is reddish brown; the sapwood white. The wood is fine-grained, hard[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. It is used in general construction and to make tool handles, spoons etc[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
The wood is used for fuel[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

Propagation

Seed - sow in a semi-shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in a container. It generally germinates easily within 14 - 30 days. Prick the seedlings out into individual containers when the first two true leaves have appeared[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-12. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ximenia+caffra>

Comments

Lincoln Sakutukwa 02nd March 2016 5:27
This plant is absolutely amazing! The information on this site is excellent . Thank you for all the research and compilation.

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