Balanites rotundifolia facts for kids

Balanites rotundifolia, also known as Mbamba ngoma in Swahili, is a spiny bush or small tree. You can find it in eastern Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. It belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family, which is sometimes called the caltrop family.

What Does it Look Like?

Balanites rotundifolia is usually a small tree or a shrub. It often has many stems growing from its base. Its branches are spiny and can grow to be 2 to 5 meters (about 6 to 16 feet) tall.

The leaves are small and round or heart-shaped. They are green and a bit hairy. These leaves grow in pairs and do not have stalks. The thorns are strong, straight, and green. They can grow up to 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) long.

The flowers are greenish-white and grow from the thorns. The small fruits are hairy and about 2 centimeters (less than an inch) long. When the fruit is ready to eat, it turns orange-yellow.

Where Does it Grow?

You can find Balanites rotundifolia in eastern Africa. It grows in countries like Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan. It also grows in Yemen, especially around the city of Aden.

Its Home and How it Lives

Balanites rotundifolia lives in dry areas. These include places with scattered trees, like tree savannas or scrublands. It also grows in semi-desert scrub and open woodlands.

This plant often grows in thin soil, especially over lava rock. You might also find it near rivers. In some places, like old raised beaches over sandstone, it can be the most common plant.

In Kenya, its fruits ripen in February, and again in October and November. It often grows alongside other plants like Acacia, Commiphora, or Combretum in dry regions. Bees help to pollinate its flowers.

How People Use This Plant

Tasty Fruit

The ripe fruit of Balanites rotundifolia has a sweet, edible pulp. People either pick the ripe fruits from the tree or collect them from the ground. They are often eaten as a snack, especially by herdsmen.

The seeds can also be eaten, but they need to be boiled for 3 to 4 hours first. People often eat the boiled seeds with milk. The fruit pulp can also be fermented to make a local drink.

Smoking Food

The wood from this plant is used to smoke food. This gives the food a special flavor. It is also used to sterilize (clean) milk containers with smoke.

Natural Gum

Balanites rotundifolia is a source of a sticky substance called gum resin. This gum is known as Hanjigoad. It is collected in small drops or round pieces. People use it for chewing.

Useful Wood

The wood is good for burning, so it is used as firewood. It can also be made into charcoal. People use the wood to make poles, handles for tools, and carved items. It is also used for household items like headrests, wooden spoons, and combs.

Animal Food

In very dry areas, the leaves and young shoots of this plant provide food for farm animals. This is called fodder.

Other Ways it Helps

This plant is used to create living fences around homes or fields. Cut branches are also used to build fences. It is planted in projects that help protect soil from washing away. There are no known medicinal uses for this plant.