Thespesia garckeana

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Thespesia garckeana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Malvoideae
Tribe: Gossypieae
Genus: Thespesia
Species: T. garckeana
Binomial name
Thespesia garckeana
F.Hoffm.(Exell & Hillc.)

Thespesia garckeana (also known by its synonym Azanza garckeana) is a tree in the family Malvaceae, found throughout the warmer parts of Southern Africa in wooded grasslands, open woodland and thickets. It grows naturally over a range of altitudes from 1000 to 2000 m above sea level, from semi-arid areas to areas of higher rainfall. T. garckeana is often found on or near termite mounds in old fields.

Common names: African Chewing Gum, Snot Apple, Tree Hibiscus, Mutohwe (Shona), nkole (Sri Lanka)

Uses

  • The whole fruit except the seeds is chewed like gum, producing a sweet glutinous slime. The fruit is also used as a syrup and soup.
  • The sap wood is yellow and the heart wood is a deep brown. It is easily worked but generally only suitable for small building needs, tool handles, oxen yokes, and domestic items such as spoons.
  • The leaves of T. garckeana have many uses including green manure and mulch. The leaves also provide an often used fodder.

See also

  • List of Southern African indigenous trees

References

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