Gardenia ternifolia (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)
| Gardenia ternifolia (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007) |
Gardenia ternifolia Rubiaceae Indigenous
Common names
- English: Large-leaved common gardenia, large-leaved Transvaal gardenia
- Agnuakgna: Dowa
- Gumuzgna: Kota
- Mejengrgna: Tangnang
Ecology
Growing in Moist Bereha and Moist to Wet Kolla agroclimatic zones in wooded grasslands, along streams and valleys in Gambella, Gonder, Wello, Gojam, Shoa, Wolega, Kefa, Ilubabor, Sidamo and Harerge regions. Sometimes it is associated with termite mounds, 300—2,250 m, annual rainfall 1,400—2,000 mm.
Uses
Tool handles (branch wood), food (fruit), bee forage, tooth brushes.
Description
It is a small tree or large shrub to a height of 3-6 m. Wood is difficult to cut. Branches originate from a distinct node in 90o to the main stem and grow in almost 60o to one another.
- BARK: grayish white, smooth.
- LEAVES in whorls of three, 10-18 cm in length, 7-11 cm in width, margin entire, cuneate at base, rounded at tip, obvoate in shape, midrib grayish white, protruding on both sides, lateral veins slightly alternate; leaf petiole only 2-3 mm long and 3 mm in diameter.
- FLOWER: white or creamy, aging to yellow, about 4 cm in diameter with a tube up to 4-5 cm long and spreading corolla lobes, sweetly scented.
- FRUIT in single at the tip of a 4-5 cm long fruit stalk, 3-5 cm in diameter and 5-7 cm in length, oval in shape, finely velvety and pointed at both sides.
- SEEDS many.
Propagation
Seedlings and wildings.
Seed
- Treatment: Need to soak fruit in cold water and macerate when soft.
- Storage: Can be stored for few months after drying it very well.
Management
A decoction from fruit is used to treat malaria and as a remedy for eye complaints. The branches make good toothbrushes. Children eat raw fruits.
