Thespesia garckeana explained

Thespesia garckeana (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]

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

1. nutrients present in the fruit help cleanse the body system and prevent diseases like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and fertility challenges.
2. it serves as an aphrodisiac and aids against liver problems, and mental illness among other diseases.
3. 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

• 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]

See also

• List of Southern African indigenous trees

References

• Web site: Azanza garckeana. Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information. 2010-02-08. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120229144319/http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=136780. 2012-02-29.
• Web site: Azanza garckeana. Ecocrop FAO . 2010-02-08.

Notes and References

1. Web site: snot apple (Azanza garckeana) . 2024-01-11 . iNaturalist . en.
2. Web site: Mail . The Sunday . 2015-09-27 . Matohwe an African delicacy . 2024-01-11 . The Sunday Mail . en-GB.
3. Web site: 2018-06-12 . Health benefits of African chewing gum . 2024-01-11 . Daily Trust . en-GB.
4. Web site: https://www.diki.pl/slownik-angielskiego?q=green+manure&popupmode=etutor . 2024-01-11 . www.diki.pl.