SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 5990.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "5990" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Senegal boscia

Scientific Name: Boscia senegalensis

Family: Capparaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Boscia senegalensis: Senegal Boscia

Boscia senegalensis, commonly known as Senegal Boscia or hanza, is a fascinating plant with a history intertwined with human survival in arid regions.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions the plant's use as a medicinal plant, which might pique a child's interest. However, ensure children understand that plants should never be ingested without adult supervision and guidance.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. ex Poir.
  • Family: Capparaceae
  • Synonyms: The text also mentions Boscia bana, possibly as a synonym or related species. It also lists Boscia angustifolia.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Boscia senegalensis is native to a wide swathe of Africa, including Mauritania, Senegal, Nigeria, Chad, Ethiopia, eastern Sudan, southeast Egypt, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Togo, Western Sahara, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, S-Algeria, and S-Morocco.
  • It thrives in Sahelian and Saharan savannas.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • It's typically an evergreen undershrub or, less commonly, a shrub, usually reaching 1-2 meters in height.

Ecological Role and Interactions

  • Observed interactions with other organisms include serving as a host plant for the butterfly Pinacopterix eriphia ssp tritogenia.

Traditional Uses

  • Boscia senegalensis has been used as a food source, particularly the seeds, by people in regions with limited water availability.
  • It also has traditional medicinal uses, including treatment for colic.

Quirky Facts

  • The plant is sometimes referred to as a "famine food," highlighting its importance in providing sustenance during periods of scarcity in regions like Darfur and Kordofan.
  • Leaves and fruits collected in different localities in Senegal exhibit variations, suggesting potential local adaptations or genetic differences.

Further Information

  • NCBI Taxonomy
  • TSN 505881
  • Institut de Technologie Alimentaire (ITA), Hann-Dakar, Senegal