Suregada zanzibariensis is a shrub or small tree with horizontal branches; it can grow up to 10 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. The tree is planted to provide shade, amenity and for soil conservation projects near the sea.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitat

Usually on sandy soils in woodland, riverine forest, coastal forest and in salt marshes, at elevations from sea-level up to 1,200 metres.

Cultivation Status

Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A root and stem bark extract are drunk to cure ankylostomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic hookworms.
The roots are diuretic and purgative. An extract is drunk as a treatment for a range of complaints, including gonorrhoea, stomach-ache, schistosomiasis, chest pain, hernia, pneumonia, oedema and chickenpox.
The roots are chewed or an extract is drunk to treat snakebites.
The use of root extracts in the treatment of diabetes is aimed at symptoms such as bacterial and fungal infections, rather than the diabetes itself.
The powdered leaves, mixed with water, are applied externally as a treatment for skin infections, and is taken in a tea or porridge when treating poliomyelitis. The pulped leaves are taken in porridge as a treatment for dysentery and to expel worms.
The leaves contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and tannins.
A leaf extract showed significant activity against chloroquine resistant and sensitive strains of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
A leaf extract showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro.

Agroforestry Uses

The tree is used for soil conservation near the sea.

Other Uses

The wood is hard. It is used for building poles, tool handles, spoons and withies.
The wood is used for fuel.

Propagation

Seed -