Piliostigma thonningii¿¿
15 seeds
¿¿"Camel's foot"
This is a deciduous tree suitable for a large garden. Grows 3-10m high.
An interesting feature of camel's foot is that the male and female flowers occur on different trees in most cases. If on the same tree, male flowers occur first and then female flowers later so that self pollination is not possible. The flowers are not showy. Flowers are followed by large, thick, reddish brown, non-splitting pods about 30¿¿¿70 mm long.The pods are edible and eaten by wildlife in nature.
The bark is dark brownish grey with a rough surface. A conspicuous feature of the tree is its large, simple, two-lobed, leathery leaves which resemble a camel's foot and account for the common name.
The fresh leaves and flowers of this tree can be chewed to reduce thirst. Bark infusions are used to treat diarrhoea. Bark fibres of the fresh branches can be used to make ropes used for tying thatch roof structures and to make whips for herding goats and cattle. Bark consists of 18¿¿¿20% tannin which is used to produce red-brown dye. There is evidence that this plant is used in most African countries by traditional medical practitioners for treating a variety of ailments like ulcers, and gastric and heart pains. Pods and seeds have been used as source of food during famine periods. A powder can be made from the dry pods for making nutritious porridge. Unripe pods can be used as a substitute for soap. Dry pods are roasted and ground into powder, and mixed with tobacco powder and ashes of the red-leaf Amaranthus to make cooking soda (alternative to bicarbonate of soda).
It can be propagated by sowing scarified seeds or seeds soaked in hot water overnight.
To view all my items, go to:
www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/1343111/BEing_Plants
Postage is R24 for the first order, any amount of items, with a tracking number. Extra orders are combined for R1.
