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Uapaca kirkiana

Authority Mull. Arg. Family Magnoliopsida:Dilleniidae:Euphorbiales:Euphorbiaceae Synonyms Uapaca albida De Wild., Uapaca benguelensis Muell. Arg., Uapaca goetzei Pax, Uapaca greenwayi Suesseng., Uapaca homblei De Wild., Uapaca neo-masuku De Wild., Uapaca teusczii Pax. Common names mkusu, muzanje, nkusu, umhobohobo, West African loquat, wild loquat Editor Ecocrop code 10644

Notes
DESCRIPTION: It is an evergreen or semi-deciduous tree with spreading multiple branches forming a dense rounded crown. The trunk is short and stout, attaining a height of 5-12 m and diameter of 5-25 cm. Leaves are simple and alternately arranged in clusters concentrated at the ends of branchlets and 7-36 x 4-24 cm. Fruit is round, skin tough, yellow-brown, up to 3.3 cm in diameter, the flesh yellowish, edible and sweet tasting with a pear-like flavour. USE: the fruit is edible, fruit and leaves are used as fodder and the flowers are a source of honey. The wood is used as timber and as firewood and charcoal. The leaves are used as a cockroach repellent in homes. An infusion made from the roots is used to treat indigestion and dysentery. The tree is planted for erosion control, shade, shelter, living fence and as an ornamental. It forms a mutual association with mycorrhizae and act as a soil improver and is an important agro-forestry tree. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Masuku. FURTHER INF: It is native of southern Africa and can be found woodland and moist forests of western, southern and eastern Africa at elevations between 500-2000 m. It occurs in regions that receive 4-5 months of rainfall followed by a dry season of 7-8 months. The tree is found in lowland forest, secondary woodland such as clearing and gaps, and open woodland. Grows in well-drained escarpments, with infertile sand or gravel soils of acidic reaction. Frost-free sites are most ideal. It is sensitive to hot, dry season fires.
Sources
SOURCES: (12.07.02) E10644 Ngulube M 1995 pp 17-18 [RAIN, DRA, FER, TEXT, PH, USE] White F 1983 pp 88 & 99 [TEMP, RAIN, DEP] ICRAF Agroforestree Database