Thespesia garckeana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thespesia garckeana
Kalanga woman selling morojwa in Botswana
Scientific classification
Genus:	Thespesia
Species:	garckeana

Thespesia garckeana, often called the snot apple or African chewing gum tree, is a special tree. It belongs to the Malvaceae family, which also includes hibiscus plants. You can find this tree growing naturally in the warmer parts of Southern Africa.

What is the Snot Apple Tree?

This tree grows in places like wooded grasslands, open woodlands, and thickets. It likes areas that are between 1000 and 2000 meters above sea level. This means it can grow in both dry areas and places with more rain. You might often see Thespesia garckeana growing near termite mounds in old fields.

Other Names for This Tree

The Thespesia garckeana tree has many interesting common names. Some people call it the "African chewing gum" tree. Another common name is "snot apple," which comes from the texture of its fruit. It is also known as "tree hibiscus." In different languages, it has names like mutohwe (Shona), nkole (Sri Lanka), uXakuxaku (isiNdebele), and morojwa (Setswana).

How People Use This Tree

People in Africa use different parts of the Thespesia garckeana tree in many helpful ways. From its fruit to its wood and leaves, this tree is very useful.

The Fruit: A Natural Chewing Gum

• The fruit of the snot apple tree is quite unique. People chew the whole fruit, except for the seeds.
• When chewed, the fruit creates a sweet, sticky slime. This slime is why it's called "African chewing gum."
• Besides being chewed, the fruit can also be made into a sweet syrup. It is sometimes used to thicken soups, too.

Wood for Tools and Homes

• The wood of the Thespesia garckeana tree is also valuable. The outer part of the wood, called sapwood, is yellow.
• The inner part, known as heartwood, is a deep brown color.
• This wood is easy to work with. However, it is usually only used for smaller building projects.
• People also use it to make handles for tools. It can be used for oxen yokes, which are wooden beams used to connect animals for pulling.
• Smaller items like spoons and other household tools are also made from this wood.

Leaves for Farming and Food

• The leaves of the Thespesia garckeana tree have many uses, especially in farming.
• They can be used as "green manure," which means they are mixed into the soil to make it healthier for plants.
• The leaves are also used as mulch. Mulch is a layer of material spread over the soil to keep it moist and control weeds.
• In addition to helping plants, the leaves are often used as fodder. This means they are given to animals as food.

Images for kids

• 

  A friendly robot