Terminalia sambesiaca is an evergreen tree with a dense crown that is layered with horizontal branches; it can grow up to 40 metres tall. The usually straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 18 metres, up to 90cm in diameter, often slightly buttressed, old trees often with bottle-shaped buttresses up to 4 metres high.
The tree has been reported to be an excellent timber tree with potential for growing in plantations. The strongly antifungal activity of the root against Cryptococcus neoformans makes the plant a valuable medicinal plant in East and southern Africa, where AIDS-related cryptococcal infections are common. Further investigations on the antimicrobial activity against a panel of bacteria causing serious infections and isolation of the active compounds are warranted. Activity-guided isolation of compounds responsible for the anti-cancer activity of the root extract seems also worthwhile.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitat

Rainforest, dry evergreen forest and riverine forest, less often in savannah woodland and on rocky hills, from sea-level up to 850 metres.

Cultivation Status

Wild

Cultivation Details

The tree is said to grow rapidly.
The flowers have a strong and unpleasant smell, and are probably pollinated by flies.
Although this species has been reported to be an excellent timber tree, very little is known about its growth rates, propagation and possibilities for establishing plantations.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

In traditional medicine the leaves are used to treat stomach-ache and infertility in women, whereas bark and leaf decoctions are applied to treat fever, colds, cancer, stomach ulcers and appendicitis. Powdered root bark is mixed with porridge and eaten to treat bloody diarrhoea.
Methanol extracts of the roots showed marked antibacterial activity against Enterobacter aerogenes, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Sarcina sp., Salmonella typhi, Shigella boydii, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as distinct antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus neoformans. Bark extracts also showed antibacterial activity and leaf extracts antifungal properties against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Antifungal activity was found especially in polar fractions of the extract and might be due to the presence of tannins. Root extracts showed strong cytotoxic effects against several human cancer cell lines, e.g. Against HeLa cervical cancer cells, T24 bladder cancer cells and BBCE endothelial cells.

Agroforestry Uses

None Recorded

Other Uses

The heartwood is yellow with brownish stripes on quarter-sawn surfaces, darkening rapidly to yellowish brown or greenish brown; it is distinctly demarcated from the up to 6cm wide band of cream-coloured sapwood. The grain is interlocked; the texture fine and even. The wood is moderately heavy, moderately durable, being susceptible to termite attack. It seasons fairly rapidly, with little degrade, though surface checking and some distortion may occur, especially in kiln drying; once dry, the wood is moderately stable in service. It is moderately difficult to saw and work with hand and machine tools; it often finishes well, but the use of a filler has been recommended to produce good surfaces; nailing and screwing are good, but require pre-boring. The wood is used for building poles, ship masts, stools, mortars, tool handles and beehives. It is suitable for construction, flooring, joinery, interior trim, bridge decking, ship building, furniture, cabinet work, sporting goods, toys, novelties, railway sleepers, mine props, veneer and plywood.
The wood is used for fuel and for charcoal production.

Propagation

Seed –