Anogeissus leiocarpa (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)
| Anogeissus leiocarpa (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007) |
Anogeissus leiocarpa (published as leiocarpus) Combretaceae Indigenous
leaves and fruits
leaves and fruits
Common names
- Agnuakgna: Reed
- Mejengrgna: Kogoden
- Oromugna: Kewo
Ecology
A tree with a wide range, growing from Senegal to the Sudan and south to the Democratic Republic of Congo, from the southern limits of the Sahara to the edge of the rain forest. It prefers moist soils as in river valleys. In Ethiopia, it grows in Moist Bereha and Kolla agroclimatic zones in Gambella, Gonder, Gojam, Shoa, Wellega and Ilubabor regions, 400—1,900 m. The minimum annual rainfall requirement is 900 mm.
Uses
Excellent bee forage (flower), medicine for treating abdominal pain (inner bark), cooking salt (ash mixed with water ad filtered through evaporation); firewood, wood good for handles of farm implements, and construction.
Description
A large tree up to 15 m, occasionally to 30 m and with a diameter of about 1.5 m when old. Straight, slightly fluted bole and open crown with gracefully dropping branches.
- BARK: Mottled light and dark brown, scaly, flaking off in rectangular patches. A dark pink gum exudes if cut. Young twigs brown, hairy, hanging down.
- LEAVES: Pale green and soft, long-oval 4— 7 cm, tip pointed, base narrowed to a short stalk, alternate along the twigs. Leaf hairy below with 4—8 veins.
- FLOWERS: Appear during the rainy season; very fragrant, in yellow-green-cream heads about 1 cm across, shortly stalked beside the leaves, sometimes in clusters.
- FRUIT: Dark brown rounded capsules, cone-like, crumble when touched breaking into numerous twowinged, shiny brown seeds 7 mm across. Remain for on the tree.
Propagation
Seedlings, direct sowing at site, wildings.
Seed
140,000—150,000 seed per kg.
- Treatment: Not necessary.
- Storage: Stores well if properly dried.
Management
Some ability to coppice. Very sensitive to fire.
Remarks
Slow growing but produces a valuable hard timber with dark brown-black heartwood, used for house building. Seedlings may spring up below mature trees.
