Growing the woodland waterberry

LAST weekend I took a walk in one of Harare’s natural forests, which is my favourite past time.

I came across the woodland waterberry, an important tree along Southern Africa’s rivers and streams.

Scientifically known as syzygium guineensee, the waterberry is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing up to a height of 15 to 20 metres.

Umdoni (in IsiNdebele) is a lovely garden subject because of its deep shade and white stem. To cap it all, when it flowers it attracts insects while its berries appeal to birds.

It is also a good source of nectar for bees. The edible purple berries also add colour to the garden when ripe and even when they fall to the ground.

The tree’s presence indicates a high water table. The tree can have a single stem or multiple stems if permitted, with a smooth grayish darkish brown bark on older trees.

The waterberry’s root infusion is used in folk medicine to bathe ill patients whilst the wood is hard, strong, durable and easy to work with.

The root is recommended for use while the bark can be poisonous (several deaths have been recorded). Root infusions and leaf decoctions are used to treat stomach ache, intestinal worms and epilepsy.

Fruits are used as a remedy for dysentery. The bark and fruits are used as a dye. Mukute (in Shona) fruit can be enjoyed raw, cooked as a beverage or made into a vinegar.

The fruit should be eaten when fully ripe, but it is very perishable.

Syzygium guineensee is easy to grow from seeds, which must be sown when they are still fresh.

Better still, the seeds easily germinate in the wild and can then be uprooted and transplanted.

Since the tree grows in forest swamps and along river banks, it should receive plenty of water. Preferably, it should be grown on an area of the garden where water collects. However, it should be grown on well drained soil with a pH of 5 to 7. It can also tolerate pH 7,5.

◆ Feedback: ataurai@gmail.com