Propagation
The seeds germinate readily without special treatment. They
can be sown directly on the ground. However you will get
much better results if you sow the seeds in your tree nursery.
Often root suckers appears near mature trees. Root suckers
are small new trees spouting from the roots of a big tree. These
root suckers can either be protected and allowed to grow on
the spot, or they can be transplanted to another place.
Bird Plum
Seedcollectionperiod
January to July.
SeedStorage
Not more than two years.
Lars Møller and Jens Mortensen
Seedtreatment
However not strictly necessary you will
experience that more
seeds will germinate if
you give them some
hot water treatment. For best results, pour
boiling water over the seeds, and let them
soak for 24 hours.
ISBN: 99916-759-5-7
Oshiwambo name:
Omuye
Scientificname:
Berchemia discolor
Family:
Rhamnaceae
Produced by Forest Awareness and Tree Planting Project
P.O. Box 3189, Oshakati. Tel: 065 230057. Fax: 065 231475.
Description
Bird plum is a tree up to 20 meters
tall, with a dense roundly crown. Very
noticeable is the marked difference in
colour of the leaf surfaces. Green on
the upper surface and grey on the the
Distribution of birdplum in
Southern Africa. After
other. The scientific name discolor,
Palgrave, K.C.: Trees of
meaning two colours, refers to this
Southern Africa
characteristic.
It is found from Ethiopia to South Africa and is indigenous
in Namibia.
The tree is growing in open dry woodland, often on termite
mounds, on well drained soils and in river valleys. Bird plum
is widespread but usually not found in large numbers. It is
drought resistant but very sensitive to frost and cold winds.
Fruit eating animals like
mousebirds, pigeons, starlings and barbets, are
especially attracted.
Bird´s great interest
in the fruits is the reason for the English
name: Bird Plum.
Uses
Grey lourie,
Corythaixoides concolor,
is one of the birds very fond of
Bird Plum.
Bird plum is an excellent tree. It yields fruits, timber, poles,
fodder, shade, windbreak, resin and dyes.
The wood is hard and heavy and is good for building purposes, furniture manufacturing and for tool handles.
The fruits are of great nutritional value to animals and humans. They are well tasting and rich in vitamin C and can be
eaten fresh or dried. The sugar content is very high and the
fruit is used as a sugar substitute. Ripe fruits are pounded
into cakes, or in some cases boiled with sorghum. Dried fruits
can be stored for a long time. An alcoholic beverage, Owambo brandy or Ombike can be prepared from the fruits. The
seeds taste like walnuts. Leaves and young twigs are eaten
by browsing animals.
If sufficient water is available the tree remains green for most
of the year, and provides valuable fodder when other trees
have lost their leaves. The flowers produce a great amount
of pollen and are therefore a favourite to honey bees. The
honey produced is of high quality.
From powdered, boiled bark a purple to brown dye with reddish tinge can be obtained. A black dye will yield if heartwood and roots are added. These dyes are used for dying palm
leaves for basket making.
Legislation
Bird plum has been a tree protected for hundreds of years in
the traditional Owambo culture because it is an important
fruit tree. Today the tree is included on the list of protected
trees in Namibia. This means that transporting and sale of
forest products from these trees without a permit issued by
Directorate of Forestry, the Magistrate and Police is prohibited.