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Thespesia garckeana /ˌθɛsˈpiːʒə ˌɡɑːrkiˈænə, -ˈɑːnə/ (also known by its synonym Azanza garckeana) is a tree in the family Malvaceae, found throughout the warmer parts of Southern Africa in wooded grasslands, open woodland and thickets. It grows naturally over a range of altitudes from 1,000 to 2,000 m above sea level, from semi-arid areas to areas of higher rainfall. T. garckeana is often found on or near termite mounds in old fields.[1]
| Thespesia garckeana | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Thespesia |
| Species: | T. garckeana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thespesia garckeana F.Hoffm.(Exell & Hillc.)
| |
Common names: African chewing gum, goron tula, snot apple, tree hibiscus, mutohwe (Shona), nkole (Sri Lanka),[2] uXakuxaku (isiNdebele) and morojwa (Setswana).
Benefits of African chewing gum leaves
edit- nutrients present in the fruit help cleanse the body system and prevent diseases like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and fertility challenges.
- it serves as an aphrodisiac and aids against liver problems, and mental illness among other diseases.
- it assists in improving bowel movement, eases digestion and improves the body's immune system. Most importantly, it is safe for consumption across all ages.[3]
Uses
edit- The whole fruit except the seeds is chewed like gum, producing a sweet glutinous slime. The fruit is also used as a syrup and soup.
- The sap wood is yellow and the heart wood is a deep brown. It is easily worked but generally only suitable for small building needs, tool handles, oxen yokes, and domestic items such as spoons.
- The leaves of T. garckeana have many uses including green manure and mulch. The leaves also provide an often used fodder.[4]
Flavour
editThe flavour is similar in taste to the mango fruit.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "snot apple (Azanza garckeana)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ Mail, The Sunday (2015-09-27). "Matohwe an African delicacy". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Health benefits of African chewing gum". Daily Trust. 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ www.diki.pl https://www.diki.pl/slownik-angielskiego?q=green+manure&popupmode=etutor. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)
- "Azanza garckeana". Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
- "Azanza garckeana". Ecocrop FAO. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Azanza garckeana". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.
- The flavour of the fruit is my impression, after tasting it on 2024-09-09. R.A. Von Well
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