Vepris nobilis (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

Vepris nobilis (Teclea nobilis) Rutaceae Indigenous

• English: Small‑fruited teclea
• Agewgna: Sila
• Amargna: Atesa, Sni
• Kefgna: Megeto, Mengereto
• Oromugna: Adessa, Begama, Chae
• Tigrigna: Tsihila

One of the largest trees in this genus, this tree is widely distributed in wet highland forests — often found with Podocarpus and Juniperus — extending from Ethiopia to South Africa. In Ethiopia, it grows well in Moist and Wet Kolla, Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones of nearly all regions, 900–2,800 m.

Firewood, charcoal, timber, poles, tool handles, clubs, walking sticks, medicine (leaves, roots).

An evergreen shrub or tree 2–12 m or taller in rain forest with a crooked trunk and dark, spreading crown.

• BARK: Smooth, grey, with ring marks.
• LEAVES: Compound, 3 leaflets on stalks to 6 cm, leaflets dark shiny green, 5–15 cm long, tapering to the tip, edge wavy, midrib stands out below, leaf stalks and branchlets without hairs.
• FLOWERS: Very small, cream‑yellow, fragrant, in loose sprays to 12 cm.
• FRUIT: Orange‑red and smooth becoming wrinkled, very many on a branched stalk to 20 cm, each ovoid, pointed, 5–6 mm, containing one seed.

Seedlings, wildings.

Not a prolific seeder. Low germination rate. About 20,000 seed per kg.

• Treatment: Not necessary.

Moderate to slow growing, pruning, pollarding.

The wood is tough and pale. It is valued for its strength and durability.