Boscia albitrunca  (Burch.) Gilg & Benedict - Capparidaceae

Shepherd's tree, Boscia albitrunca, is in a genus of 37 tropical trees distributed in South Africa and Arabia.  Some species have edible fruits that are used in medicine and are coffee substitutes.  Light beige, speckled seeds are worn in necklaces.

The wood of this tree is never cut in western Transvaal, for the people believe that to do so would prevent cows from producing heifers.11

 

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