The Appetizer! - Kumukhua. (tamarindus indica)

Derivation of the name: Khua - to add, to give. The taste of the fruit induces a lot of saliva and is an appetiser.

Tangy!

Natural habitat and distribution in bungoma: Habitat: wooded grassland and bushland, riverine, growing at low altitude ( max 1500m ). Distribution: rare species in bungoma found in lower areas in wooded grassland. The tree can easily be cultivated in lowland areas and is more common in neighbouring busia and teso districts.

Description: Bark grey, scaly and flaking. Leaves compound, with 10-18 pairs of leaflets, dull green, stalk hairy. Flower a pod, indehiscent, rusty brown, up to 10cm long, constricted between the seeds. The hard brown seeds are embedded in as sticky brown pulp with is edible.

Physical features: Shape: large tree up to 25m high, short bole. Crown: extensive, rounded, with drooping branches. Foliage: dense, evergreen  ( deciduous in very dry ares ).

Alien?

Biological features: Mulch: very good quality, leaves decompose fast. Tree/crop association: the tree is grown in cultivated fields when young but management is required, old trees are not compatible with crops.

Biomass production: slow growing.

Other characteristics: nitrogen-fixing, drought resistant, storm - resistant due to a deep rooting system, young trees are browsed by livestock, wood durable.

Reproduction: seeds.

Management: root pruning, lopping, coppicing.

Ecological benefit: soil improvement, soil conservation, windbreak.

Tree products and use: fuelwood, charcoal, timber, posts, mortar, shade, ornamental, flavouring, fruit, bee-forage, fodder, trays, music instrument ( luengele )

Medicinal Application: leaves: haemorrhoids in livestock. Leaf/fruit/bark: STD. Fruit: treats chest complications when frequently added to porridge.