Woodfordia uniflora (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

← Warburgia ugandensis

Bekele-Tesemma, Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia, 2007 Woodfordia uniflora (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

Ximenia americana →

Woodfordia uniflora Lythraceae Indigenous

Common names

• Oromugna: Marmarte

Ecology

A shrub which usually grows along river banks, in dry Juniperus or Combretum‑Terminalia‑Croton woodlands on light grey loamy soil. It is also found on rocky hillsides and limestone slopes and is widespread in Gonder, Gojam, Kefa, Sidamo, Bale and Harerge regions in Moist and Wet Kolla, and Dry, Moist and Wet Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones of most regions, 1,200–2,500 m.

Uses

Firewood, farm tools and food (fruit).

Description

A much‑branched shrub to 3 m high.

• BARK: Smooth grey with white scales distributed on it.
• LEAVES: Opposite pairs, long oval about 7 cm, the tip long and pointed, the base rounded, veins well marked below run to a vein parallel to the edge, dark green above, scattered black glands on paler leaf below. Leaves turn red.
• FLOWERS: Few‑flowered in heads beside leaves, calyx tubular bearing 6 small orange‑red petals, 12 orange‑red anthers and red style push through.
• FRUIT: A small green capsule with a little white edible flesh surrounding 3–4 tiny seeds.

Propagation

Seedlings, cuttings.

Seed

About 500 seed per kg. Germination within 15 days.

• Storage: Can be stored for at least 6 months.

Remarks

It has very tasty fruit.