Euclea racemosa (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

← Eucalyptus viminalis

Bekele-Tesemma, Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia, 2007 Euclea racemosa (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

Euphorbia abyssinica →

Euclea racemosa subsp. schimperi Ebenaceae Indigenous

Common names

• Amargna: Dedeho
• Oromugna: Miessa, Ghino
• Somaligna: Dobobos, Mayer
• Tigrigna: Kellau, Gum

Ecology

A small tree or shrub that grows in dry woodland, bushland, riverine forest and marginal arid areas in Dry, Moist and Wet Kolla and Weyna Dega agroclimatic zones in most regions, 1,000-2,400 m.

Uses

Firewood, farm tools, food (fruit), ornamental, dye, live fence, boundary marking.

Description

A shrub or small tree 3–4 m.

• BARK: Greyblack, rather smooth.
• LEAVES: Usually opposite, shiny and leathery, dark green above but dull and pale below, long, oval, about 5 cm, the tip rounded, narrowing to the base. The thick edge often curls right under.
• FLOWERS: Small, cream-white and sweet-scented, in short sprays to 8 cm, beside leaves, male flowers with many stamens.
• FRUIT: Round and very small, less then 1 cm, green at first, ripening purple-black with thin edible flesh around the seeds, two seeds per fruit. Propagation Seedlings, layering, cuttings.

Seed

18,000—20,000 per kg.

• Treatment: Not necessary.
• Storage: Can be stored.

Management

Coppicing. Produces root suckers.

Remarks

The wood is heavy and hard and burns very well. A black dye can be obtained from the roots.