English (en) | Change Language

Edible: Fruit, Leaves, Root, Spice

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-5 m high. It can reach 10 m. The trunk is 20 cm across. The trunk is straight and branches early. The crown is dense and round. The bark is greyish-brown and mottled. The leaves are alternate and compound. There are 10-17 pairs of leaflets and one at the end. The leaflets are 1-6 cm long by 0.6-2.5 cm wide. They are dark green and densely covered with gland dots. The flowers are small and white or yellow. They are 10 mm across. They occur in branched sprays. These can be 16 cm long. The fruit is round and fleshy. They are 7 mm across. They become red to black when mature.


A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forest. It is in low altitude woodland and palm groves near streams. It suits high rainfall areas. In South Africa it grows from sea level to 2200 m altitude. It is a light demanding and drought tolerant tree. It grows in open land and around villages. In Sikkim it grows between 900-1,700 m above sea level.

Common Names: Horsewood, Clausena, Azizinma, Ewe kikani, Funata, Gbozohouin, Hong bi rung, Kaattminthiri, Hirmachayi, Limich, Limicho, Mkangano, Mokolokale, Muvengahonye, Muvhunambezo, Sanga, Sidemyok, Tchakatouma, Thapata chedi, Ulmayi, Umbangadloti, Umnikalampimba, Xirdhoo

Synonyms: 

Clausena abyssinica (Engl.) Engl.;
Clausena inequalis (DC.) Benth.;
Clausena willdenowii Wight & Arn. [Illegitimate];
and several others