Sideroxylon inerme is a spreading, much-branched, evergreen shrub or a tree with a large, dense, rounded crown; it can grow up to 15 metres tall, often with a gnarled appearance. The sturdy bole can be up to 60cm in diameter. The tree yields a locally useful wood as well as being used locally as a medicine and food. It does not burn easily and can be planted as a fire-break.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitat

Coastal woodland and littoral forest. A common component of shrub thickets on the seashore near the high-water mark, also found along landward fringes of mangroves. Sometimes found further inland along rivers and in open woodland, up to 1,500 metres.

Cultivation Status

Wild

Cultivation Details

Sideroxylon inerme is a plant of dry to moist areas in the tropics and subtropics of eastern Africa, where it can be found mainly near the coast but also at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall can range from 300 - 1,500mm. Trees can be long-lived, specimens more than 500 years old are known. The tree is protected in South Africa, where a permit is required even for pruning a plant; 3 specimens there have been declared National Monuments. The tree has small greenish-white flowers with a strong, unpleasant smell.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A juicy, purple flesh. The fruit is a purple-black, globose berry 6 - 15mm in diameter.

Medicinal

The roasted powdered root, combined with oil from the seed of Trichilia emetica, is rubbed into incisions over fractured limbs. A decoction of the root, administered as an enema, is a diaphoretic. The dried pulverized root is eaten to treat conjunctivitis. An infusion of the bark is taken against nightmares.

Agroforestry Uses

Sideroxylon inerme does not easily catch fire and plantings could be useful as a firebreak.

Other Uses

The wood is yellowish brown with a fine texture. It is very heavy, very hard, strong, moderately elastic, and durable, even in damp circumstances. It is used for poles and for making spoons, and has been used for house construction and for building boats, bridges, and mills. The wood is used for fuel and for making charcoal.

Propagation

Seed - easy, the seed sprouting within 4 - 6 weeks. Cuttings are also possible, but only semi-mature side shoots should be used - they normally root in 6 - 8 weeks.