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[].

Common Name:

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[, ].
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[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, 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[, ].
Requires a sunny position[]. It succeeds on clay loams, clays, compacted loamy sand, sandy clay loams, and friable clays with laterite horizon[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth, increasing in height by up to 50cm a year[].
Plants in the wild often reproduce profusely from seed[].
Plants respond well to coppicing and also produce suckers[].
This plant is partly parasitic, and will grow better once in the ground where it can make contact with other plant roots[].
The root system is non-aggressive[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. Best eaten when slightly over-ripe, the thin flesh has a refreshing, acid flavour and an almond-like scent[, ]. Another report says they have a sweet flavour[]. A refreshing drink can be prepared by squeezing the fruits in water and adding sugar[]. Rich in vitamin C[]. The oval fruit is a deep-red colour with white spots; it is around 25mm long[].

Seed[, ].

The seed contains up to 65% oil[]. Reports do not mention it as being edible, even though the seed is eaten[].

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[].
A decoction from the leaves is used as a wash to soothe inflamed eyes[]. The pounded leaves are used as poultices for treating wounds and boils[].

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[, ]. The powdered root is used in soup and in beer as an aphrodisiac, whilst a decoction is used to remedy infertility[].
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[, ].
Powdered roots are applied to sores, abcesses etc to speed up healing[, ].

The roasted and pounded seeds are used as a poultice for healing wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes grown as part of a boundary screen and living fence[, ].

Other Uses

The seed contains up to 65% oil[]. The roasted seeds are mashed in the mortar yielding a viscous, non-drying oil[]. The oil is applied to the hair to darken its colour and help straighten it[]. 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[, ].

The heartwood is reddish brown; the sapwood white. The wood is fine-grained, hard[, ]. It is used in general construction and to make tool handles, spoons etc[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

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[].

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