East African Greenheart

East African Greenheart
© Bo Tengnas

Scientific name

Warburgia ugandensis

Order / Family

Canellaceae

Local Names

Kikuyu (Muthiga, Muthaiga); Kipsigis (Moissot, Sogoet); Kisii (Omenyakige); Luhya (Apacha, Kumusikhu); Luo (Abaki, Soko); Maasai (Osokonoi); Marakwet (Sekwan); Meru (Musunui); Nandi (Soget); Ogiek (Marut); Tugen (Sorget, Soke);

Introduction

General Distribution:

It is native to many African countries; DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, S. Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Uganda.
W. ugandensis is common in lowland rainfall, upland dry evergreen forest and its relicts in secondary bushland; and also on termitaria in swamp forest. It is found in Agroclimatic zone III.

General Information about the Tree:

It is important to note that U. Ugandensis' wood though hard and heavy, rots quickly and does not resist termites.

Biophysical Limits:

It does well in the altitude range of 100 - 2,200 m above sea level, rainfall requirements are in the range of 1,000 - 1,500 mm annually and they can withstand swamp forest soils.

Propagation and Tree Management

Seedlings, direct sowing at site, wildings and cuttings can be used to propagate it. It is fairly fast growing in the right conditions and deserves wide planting as a shapely garden or park tree. Since the bark is often removed for medicinal use care must be taken to avoid mortality. It is hardy once established, and coppicing can be practiced.

Products:

Food; the fruit is edible and all parts have a hot peppery taste and so may be used to add flavor to curries.
Medicine; bark and roots are used for medicinal purposes.
Poison; the heartwood contains chemicals which are anti-feedant against the armyworm.
Veterinary medicine; its extracts may be used to treat sick animals
Timber; its timber is good for construction and furniture making though not termite resistant

Services:

Shade/shelter; the crown provides shade and protection against strong winds.
Soil improver; it is a source of green manure and mulch.
Ornamental; it can also be planted for ornamental purposes

Pests and Diseases

So far, there is no information on the diseases that attack this tree, but its wood is susceptible to termite attacks. Painting it with oil reduces these attacks.