Manilkara butugi (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)
| Manilkara butugi (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007) |
Manilkara butugi Sapotaceae Indigenous
Common names
- Amargna: Butigi
- Oromugna: Butugi, Gajo
Ecology
A tree that grows in lower forest with Olea spp. and in humid highland forest with Pouteria spp. in the top storey. Found in all Weyna Dega and lower altitude Dry, Moist and Wet Dega agroclimatic zones in Wolega, Ilubabor, Kefa and Sidamo regions, 1,200-2,200 m.
Uses
Firewood, timber (local use, heavy construction), farm tools, tool handles, food (fruit).
Description
A tall forest tree that grows to 35 m, the bole straight and slender, buttressed at the base, the crown dense and spreading.
- BARK: Rough, grey-brown, grooved. A cut shows bright red fibres and white latex slowly drips out, becoming sticky.
- LEAVES: At the end of branchlets, ovate, narrow or wide 7–20 cm long, leathery, dull above and grey below where the midrib alone stands out, tip rounded or notched, edge wavy, narrowed to a stalk 2–3 cm long.
- FLOWERS: White and fragrant, quite small, in groups beside leaves, calyx and stalks with white hairs. Petals and sepals appear numerous, in whorls of 3 (typical Manilkara).
- FRUIT: Round, yellow-brown berry to 2 cm across, 4–5 brown seeds inside, edible flesh.
Propagation
Seedlings.
Seed
3,000–4,000 seed per kg.
- Treatment: Not necessary but soaking in cold water for 12 hours may hasten germination.
- Storage: Stores well.
Management
Pruning. Slow growing when mature, fast when young.
Remarks
The wood is difficult to saw. It often has rot in the heartwood and tends to split with nailing, but its very strong and durable. It has been used for flooring, spear shafts, building and electric poles. As the tree’s wood does not rot in water, it has also been used to build boats and bridges.
