Trees Bees Use - Caylusea abyssinica (Resedaceae)

Caylusea abyssinica in flower near Ilembo, Tanzania © Paul Latham

by Paul Latham, UK

Synonym Reseda abyssinica

Apicultural value
In Ethiopia bees are able to collect pollen and nectar from flowers of this plant over an eight month period.

Common name Ukwipa

Description
An erect herb, occasionally bushy, an annual plant or short-lived perennial. Leaves are long, 2-8 cm and thin. Flowers are small, white and in flowering heads up to 40 cm long. Anthers are pink or orange, turning yellow when mature.

Ecology
Grows as a weed in disturbed land and on riversides between altitudes of 1,200-3,000 m. In Africa, Caylusea abyssinica is present from Sudan and Ethiopia south to Burundi, Malawi and Rwanda. Some people leave wild plants growing in their gardens or may even plant the seed.

Propagation
The plant is grown easily from seed.

Uses
In Umalila in Tanzania, the young leaves and stems are eaten, chopped up and cooked with other vegetables. The plant is also used to feed rabbits and goats. The boiled leaves are used medicinally to treat stomach pains and for intestinal worms.

First published in BfD Journal #84

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