Biology:Balanites rotundifolia

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Short description: Species of tree

Balanites rotundifolia
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Zygophyllales
Family: Zygophyllaceae
Genus: Balanites
Species:
B. rotundifolia
Binomial name
Balanites rotundifolia
(Tiegh.) Blatt.[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Agialid rotundifolia Tiegh.
  • Balanites gillettii Cufod.
  • Balanites orbicularis Sprague
  • Balanites patriziana Lusina

Balanites rotundifolia, known in Swahili as Mbamba ngoma is a spiny bush or small tree from eastern Africa and southern Arabia. It is a member of the caltrop family, Zygophyllaceae.[citation needed]

Description

Balanites rotundifolia is a small tree or shrub with a multi-stemmed growth form and spiny branches which grows to 2-5m. The small, round or heart shaped leaves are green, rather hairy, grow in pairs and lack stalks. The stout thorns are green, straight and grow to 3 cm in length. The greenish white flowers grow from the thorns and the small hairy fruit is 2 cm in length.[2] When the fruit is ripe it is orange-yellow in colour.[3]

Distribution

Balanites rotundifolia is found in eastern Africa from Somalia and Somaliland into Sudan, and also in Yemen, specifically Aden.[3][4]

Habitat and ecology

Balanites rotundifolia occurs in arid tree savanna or scrub; semi-desert scrub; deciduous bushland and open woodland. It is often found growing in thin soils over lava or near rivers; it can be the dominant species in some habitats such as raised beaches over sandstones.[4] Fruiting in Kenya occurs in February and in October and November.[2] Often grows in association with Acacia, Commiphora or Combretum in arid areas.[3] The flowers are pollinated by bees.[4]

Uses

Fruit

The ripe fruit has an edible and sweet pulp, the ripe fruits are either picked from the tree or gathered from the ground. The fruits are eaten as a snack, particularly by herdsmen.[4] The seeds are edible if they are boiled for 3–4 hours, they are normally eaten with milk. The fruit pulp is fermented to make a local brew.[2]

Smoking

The wood is used to smoke food for flavour and to sterilise milk containers.[2]

Gum

Balanites rotundifolia is the source of a gum resin called Hanjigoad, which is used for chewing and is collected as tears or globular pieces.[5]

Wood

The wood is used as firewood and to make charcoal. It is fashioned into poles, tool handles, carvings, utensils (e.g. head rests, wooden spoons and combs).[2]

Fodder

The leaves and shoots provide fodder for domestic animals in very arid areas.[3]

Other uses

It is used for live fencing and the cut branches are used to make fences, it is also planted in soil conservation projects.[2] There are no known medicinal applications.[4]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Balanites rotundifolia (Tiegh.) Blatt.". The Plant List. http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-19474. Retrieved 18 December 2016. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Patrick Maundu; Bo Tengnäs (2005). Useful Trees and Shrubs for Kenya. World Agroforestry Centre. p. 118. ISBN 9966-896-70-8. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/B13601.pdf. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Balanites rotundifolia". Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. http://www.prota4u.org/protav8.asp?en=1&p=Balanites+rotundifolia. Retrieved 18 December 2016. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Balanites rotundifolia". Useful Tropical Plants. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Balanites%20rotundifolia. Retrieved 18 December 2016. 
  5. The Imperial Institute (1914). "Some Economic Products of Somaliland". The Bulletin of the Imperial Institute XII: 11–27. 

Wikidata ☰ Q12249813 entry