About Thespesia garckeana F.Hoffm.
Thespesia garckeana F.Hoffm., also known by its synonym Azanza garckeana, is a tree species in the mallow family Malvaceae. It is distributed across the warmer regions of Southern Africa, growing naturally in wooded grasslands, open woodland, and thickets. This tree occurs at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level, and can grow in habitats from semi-arid areas to areas with higher rainfall. It is often found growing on or near termite mounds in old fields. Common names for this species include African chewing gum, goron tula, snot apple, tree hibiscus, mutohwe (Shona), nkole (Sri Lanka), uXakuxaku (isiNdebele), and morojwa (Setswana). The entire fruit except its seeds is chewed like gum, producing a sweet, glutinous slime. The fruit is also processed into syrup and used to make soup. The species has yellow sapwood and deep brown heartwood. It is easily worked, but is generally only suitable for small construction projects, tool handles, oxen yokes, and small domestic items such as spoons. Its leaves have multiple uses: they are used as green manure and mulch, and are also a commonly used fodder.
