Rhus natalensis (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)
From PlantUse English
| Rhus natalensis (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007) |
Rhus natalensis Anacardiaceae Indigenous
Common names
- Amargna: Chakema, Takuma
- Oromugna: Debobosso, Debobosha, Tatessa
- Tigrigna: Tetale, Thathalo
Ecology
A bush widespread in Africa. In Ethiopia it usually grows in wooded savannah, on forest edges and in lowland woodlands in Moist and Wet Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones of most regions, 1,200- 3,000 m.
Uses
Firewood, charcoal, tools, farm tools, food (fruit), medicine (leaves and leaf decoctions, pounded roots), toothbrushes (stems).
Description
A many‑branched shrub or tree, sometimes tending to scramble, up to 8 m in height.
- BARK: Grey, often almost white, branchlets pale and dotted with breathing pores, branches angular.
- LEAVES: three-foliolate, the central leaflet largest to 9 cm, usually dark green, rather leathery, hairless, sometimes toothed, very variable, wider towards the tip, narrowed to the base, on a stalk 2–4 cm.
- FLOWERS: Green‑yellow in loose heads to 15 cm.
- FRUIT: Oblong to bean‑shaped, smooth, red with thin flesh and a waxy covering, about 5 mm, edible. The dry papery fruit soon fall.
Propagation
Seedlings.
Seed
About 26,000—30,000 seed per kg. Germination is fast and good.
- Treatment: Not necessary.
- Storage: Remains viable for only about 3 months at room temperature.
Management
Coppicing.
Remarks
The charcoal sparks, fuelling a noisy and spreading fire.
