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 /ˌθɛsˈpiːʒə ˌɡɑːrkiˈænə, -ˈɑːnə/ (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 1000 to 2000 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.

Common names: African chewing gum, snot apple, tree hibiscus, mutohwe (Shona), nkole (Sri Lanka), "uXakuxaku" (isiNdebele),morojwa (Setswana)

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.

See also

In Spanish: Thespesia garckeana para niños