Common Names: Torchwood; Groendoring
The common name, torchwood, has been derived because the dry kernels have been burnt as torches!
Balanites maughamii is not well known in South Africa. The older trees have an amazing, upright, deeply folded or buttressed trunk that visually singles them out from other trees. This ensures that the tree can be identified from its trunk alone. The torchwood is a medium to large upright tree, 10-20 m high. It is deciduous to semi-deciduous. It typically has a spreading crown and the older trunks are greyish. The branchlets are greyish green and hairy. Usually the zigzag branchlets are strongly armed with unequally forked spines forming a y-shape, sometimes simple; or they are unarmed, usually the fruit-bearing branches, sometimes with very small spines. Leaves are leathery with velvety hairs when young, grey-green, alternatively arranged, compound, with two elliptic to ovate to round leaflets; the margin is entire, the apex is rounded and the base tapering. The central vein of the leaf is slightly off-centre and the base is unequal. Flowers are borne in small clusters in leaf axils, are star-shaped, small, bisexual, scented, greenish yellow, hairy above and smooth below. The flowers have 5 sepals and petals, 10 stamens and the ovary is 5-chambered with one seed in each chamber. Flowering time: from July to November. The brownish yellow fruit is a thin, fleshy oval drupe, 30-60 x 20-30 mm, usually distinctly grooved. The bitter flesh covers a large, hard, stone kernel. The fruit is ripens between May and July. This plant has medicinal value as well as other uses. The roots are used as an enema. The green fruit yields a powerful poison lethal to some fish, tadpoles and snails when placed in the water. The poison may occur in the in the kernel and pulp. It is harmless to people. African people use the tree for magical purposes. Zulu witchdoctors use the roots and bark, together with other plants that have been soaked in water and beaten to a froth to ward off evil spirits (Palmer & Pittman 1972). Because of its excellent lubricative qualities, the Zulus soak the bark in the water for a refreshing bath. The fruit also yields good colourless oil that burns well and gives a bright flame. The hard timber has been used to make wooden bowls, panga handles and stocks for guns.
You're buying a pack of 10 Seeds
We'll supply you with all the germination & care instructions.
LARGE SEEDS - SHIPS AT HIGHER RATE THAN THAT OF SMALL SEEDS. PLEASE SEE THE SHIPPING TAB ABOVE FOR MORE INFO.
