Useful Tree Species for Eastern Africa
a species selection tool based on the VECEA Map
Lake Victoria Strychnos potatorum scrub forest (Ft)
Description
Scrub forests are intermediate in structure between forest and bushland. Vegetation types intermediate between rain forest and evergreen bushland (Be) probably occurred more extensively in the Lake Victoria basin than in other parts of Africa, but only few relicts remain (White 1983 p. 182).
White (1983 p. 182) describes the following types of Lake Victoria scrub forests: (i) Cynometra-Euphorbia scrub forest in Burundi and Uganda; (ii) Euphorbia dawei scrub forest in the basin of Lake Edward; (iii) Euphorbia dawei scrub forest in the Ruzizi valley; and (iv) tall scrub forest in the Ruzizi valley (White 1983 p. 182).
It is the fourth subtype that is mapped in Burundi as Lake Victoria Strychnos potatorum scrub forest (Ft). This forest formation is described as the ‘forêt sclérophylle à Strychnos potatorum’ by Lewalle (1972), who fully agrees with the observation of Germain (1952) that this forest type is the climax vegetation of the Ruzizi valley, except where specific edaphic conditions lead to the manifestation of other vegetation types such as Lake Victoria Euphorbia dawei scrub forest (fe) or Palm wooded grassland (P).
Plant species
The main species recorded to occur within this vegetation type are listed below. Clicking the name of any of these species will open the page for that species on the Agroforestry Species Switchboard. Between brackets the English vernacular name of the species and the documented country distribution of the species (B=Burundi, E=Ethiopia, K=Kenya, M=Malawi, R=Rwanda, T=Tanzania, U=Uganda, Z=Zambia) is provided.
Based on information on species presence in national manifestations of vegetation types, each species was classified as a regionally dominant, characteristic, present or marginal species for a vegetation type (Read more ...)
- Dominant - if the regional documentation classified the species as dominant.
- Characteristic - if the species was documented to be characteristic for at least half of all the national manifestations of the vegetation type and if the species was characteristic in at least two national manifestations of the vegetation type. Species were always classified as characteristic if the species was a regional indicator or regional characteristic species for the vegetation type.
- Present - if the species was documented to be characteristic in at least one of the national manifestations of the vegetation type or if the species was documented to be present in a least half of all the national manifestations of the vegetation type. Species that were already listed as characteristic were excluded.
- Marginal distribution - if some of the national documentation listed the species, but where the species was not included as characteristic or present.
- Dominant species
- Characteristic species
- Species present
Acacia gerrardii (Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Achyranthes aspera (Devil's horsewhip, BKMRTUZ),
Albizia zygia (West African albizia, BKRTU),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass, BKMRTUZ),
Cissus quadrangularis (Succulent-stemmed wild grape, BKRTU),
Cissus rotundifolia (Peruvian Grape Ivy, BEKTU),
Clausena anisata (Horsewood, BEKMRTUZ),
Combretum collinum (Hairy bushwillow, BEKMRTUZ),
Commiphora habessinica (Abyssinian myrrh, BEKRTUZ),
Cynometra alexandri (Uganda Ironwood, BTU),
Erythrococca bongensis (BEKRTU),
Euphorbia dawei (BRTU),
Heteropogon contortus (Black speargrass, BKRTU),
Lannea fulva (BKRTU),
Lannea schimperi (Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (River litchi, BEKMTUZ),
Margaritaria discoidea (Bushveld peacock-berry, BEKMTUZ),
Microchloa kunthii (Kunth's smallgrass, BKTU),
Sarcostemma viminale (Caustic-creeper, BEKRU),
Rhus pyroides (Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Steganotaenia araliacea (Carrot tree, BEKMRTUZ),
Sterculia quinqueloba (Large-leaved star chestnut, BMRTZ),
Vepris nobilis (Small-fruited teclea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
Products and environmental services of tree species
Documented products and environmental services for the tree species occurring in this vegetation type (Ft) are listed below. Clicking the name of any of these species will open the page for that species on the Agroforestry Species Switchboard. Between brackets information is given on the status of each species ('dom' indicates dominant species, 'cha' characteristic species, 'pre' other species and 'mar' species of marginal occurrence), the English vernacular name of the species and the documented country distribution of the species (B=Burundi, E=Ethiopia, K=Kenya, M=Malawi, R=Rwanda, T=Tanzania, U=Uganda, Z=Zambia).
Wood
- Firewood
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Grewia mollis (Cha, BEKRTUZ),
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Albizia zygia (Pre, West African albizia, BKRTU),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Clausena anisata (Pre, Horsewood, BEKMRTUZ),
Combretum collinum (Pre, Hairy bushwillow, BEKMRTUZ),
Commiphora habessinica (Pre, Abyssinian myrrh, BEKRTUZ),
Cynometra alexandri (Pre, Uganda Ironwood, BTU),
Lannea fulva (Pre, BKRTU),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Pre, River litchi, BEKMTUZ),
Margaritaria discoidea (Pre, Bushveld peacock-berry, BEKMTUZ),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Steganotaenia araliacea (Pre, Carrot tree, BEKMRTUZ),
Vepris nobilis (Pre, Small-fruited teclea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
- Charcoal
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Grewia mollis (Cha, BEKRTUZ),
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Albizia zygia (Pre, West African albizia, BKRTU),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Clausena anisata (Pre, Horsewood, BEKMRTUZ),
Combretum collinum (Pre, Hairy bushwillow, BEKMRTUZ),
Cynometra alexandri (Pre, Uganda Ironwood, BTU),
Lannea fulva (Pre, BKRTU),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Pre, River litchi, BEKMTUZ),
Margaritaria discoidea (Pre, Bushveld peacock-berry, BEKMTUZ),
Vepris nobilis (Pre, Small-fruited teclea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
- Timber, Furniture, Construction
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Grewia mollis (Cha, BEKRTUZ),
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Albizia zygia (Pre, West African albizia, BKRTU),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Cynometra alexandri (Pre, Uganda Ironwood, BTU),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Margaritaria discoidea (Pre, Bushveld peacock-berry, BEKMTUZ),
Sterculia quinqueloba (Pre, Large-leaved star chestnut, BMRTZ),
Vepris nobilis (Pre, Small-fruited teclea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
- Poles, Posts
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Albizia zygia (Pre, West African albizia, BKRTU),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Clausena anisata (Pre, Horsewood, BEKMRTUZ),
Combretum collinum (Pre, Hairy bushwillow, BEKMRTUZ),
Cynometra alexandri (Pre, Uganda Ironwood, BTU),
Lannea fulva (Pre, BKRTU),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Pre, River litchi, BEKMTUZ),
Margaritaria discoidea (Pre, Bushveld peacock-berry, BEKMTUZ),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Vepris nobilis (Pre, Small-fruited teclea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
- Beehives
- Tools, Tool handles, Shafts
- Carvings, Utensils, Walking stick, Bow, Arrow
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Grewia mollis (Cha, BEKRTUZ),
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Pre, River litchi, BEKMTUZ),
Vepris nobilis (Pre, Small-fruited teclea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
- Boat building
- Farm implements
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Steganotaenia araliacea (Pre, Carrot tree, BEKMRTUZ)
Human consumption
- Edible fruit, Edible nut, Edible seed
Grewia mollis (Cha, BEKRTUZ),
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Lannea fulva (Pre, BKRTU),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Pre, River litchi, BEKMTUZ),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Vepris nobilis (Pre, Small-fruited teclea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
- Vegetable, Edible leaves, Edible roots
- Seasoning, Flavouring
- Drink, Soup
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Clausena anisata (Pre, Horsewood, BEKMRTUZ),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
- Edible oil, Edible gum, Edible inner bark
- Medicine
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Clausena anisata (Pre, Horsewood, BEKMRTUZ),
Combretum collinum (Pre, Hairy bushwillow, BEKMRTUZ),
Lannea fulva (Pre, BKRTU),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Pre, River litchi, BEKMTUZ),
Margaritaria discoidea (Pre, Bushveld peacock-berry, BEKMTUZ),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Steganotaenia araliacea (Pre, Carrot tree, BEKMRTUZ),
Sterculia quinqueloba (Pre, Large-leaved star chestnut, BMRTZ),
Vepris nobilis (Pre, Small-fruited teclea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
Animal consumption
- Fodder
Grewia mollis (Cha, BEKRTUZ),
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
- Bee forage
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Clausena anisata (Pre, Horsewood, BEKMRTUZ),
Combretum collinum (Pre, Hairy bushwillow, BEKMRTUZ),
Cynometra alexandri (Pre, Uganda Ironwood, BTU),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Pre, River litchi, BEKMTUZ)
Environmental services
- Shade
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Albizia zygia (Pre, West African albizia, BKRTU),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Combretum collinum (Pre, Hairy bushwillow, BEKMRTUZ),
Lannea fulva (Pre, BKRTU),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Pre, River litchi, BEKMTUZ)
- Ornamental, Avenue tree
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Albizia zygia (Pre, West African albizia, BKRTU),
Cynometra alexandri (Pre, Uganda Ironwood, BTU),
Lannea fulva (Pre, BKRTU),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Sterculia quinqueloba (Pre, Large-leaved star chestnut, BMRTZ)
- Mulch
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Lannea schimperi (Pre, Rusty-leaved lannea, BEKMRTUZ),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ)
- Nitrogen fixation
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Albizia zygia (Pre, West African albizia, BKRTU)
- Soil conservation, Soil improvement
- River bank, Sand stabilization
- Windbreak
Other products
- Fibre, Weaving, Rope
- Thatch, Roofing, Mats, Baskets
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Grewia mollis (Cha, BEKRTUZ),
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Pre, River litchi, BEKMTUZ),
Sterculia quinqueloba (Pre, Large-leaved star chestnut, BMRTZ)
- Resin, Gum, Glue, Latex
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Commiphora habessinica (Pre, Abyssinian myrrh, BEKRTUZ),
Sterculia quinqueloba (Pre, Large-leaved star chestnut, BMRTZ)
- Tannin, Dye
- Live fence, Dead fence
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia gerrardii (Pre, Grey-haired acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Acacia polyacantha (Pre, Falcon's claw acacia, BEKMRTUZ),
Balanites aegyptiaca (Pre, Desert date, BEKRTUZ),
Combretum collinum (Pre, Hairy bushwillow, BEKMRTUZ),
Commiphora habessinica (Pre, Abyssinian myrrh, BEKRTUZ),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Sterculia quinqueloba (Pre, Large-leaved star chestnut, BMRTZ)
- Ceremonial
- Traditional uses
- Toothbrushes
- Veterinary medicine, Vermifuge
Euphorbia candelabrum (Cha, Candelabra euphorbia, BEKMRTUZ),
Tamarindus indica (Cha, Tamarind, BEKMTUZ),
Rhus pyroides (Pre, Common wild currant, BEKMRTUZ),
Vepris nobilis (Pre, Small-fruited teclea, BEKMRTUZ),
Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Pre, Knobwood, BEKMRTUZ)
- Toxin, Insecticide, Repellent
- Cosmetic, Soap, Perfume, Oil
For more detailed information about the species occurrences see this excel workbook. It provides country specific information on species composition for this vegetation type. It also allows you to select a subset of useful tree species to provide desired products and services. For each species links to a number of websites / databases with information about this species are provided as well.
Conservation status
The table shows the area (km2) of the vegetation type and the percentage of this area explicitly designated for biodiversity, species or landscape protection (A) and areas designated for both protection and sustainable use objectives (B). Only the nationally designated protected areas were included.
| PNV | Area (km2) | A (%) | B (%) |
| fe/fv | 2,661 | 1.30 | 0.00 |
A) Include the IUCN categories I - IV; B) Include the IUCN categories V - VI and the protected areas without IUCN classification. Read more
There are seven different International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
management categories, based on their principle management objectives. Six of these can be found in the VECEA region. Based on
van Breugel et al. (2015), we reclassified these six categories into two groups. The first (A) is composed of the IUCN categories Ib, II, III and IV, all of which are explicitly designated for biodiversity, species or landscape protection. The second (B) is composed of IUCN category V, designated to protect a landscape created through interaction of people and nature, and VI, which is designated for both protection and sustainable use objectives. In group B we also included the protected areas not classified into one of the IUCN categories. These include different types of national or community forest reserves and areas that have a focus on wildlife or game management. It should be noted that the aggregation of the protected areas in these two groups (A and B) does not imply any assumptions from our side on the effectiveness of the management in these different categories.
Links
Species selection tool
Other vegetation types
//vegetationmap4africa.org
Documentation
Citation and terms of use
Click here for the full terms of use, disclaimer and errors and omissions statement that accompanies our data. When using our data, you agree with these terms.
Citation
Kindt R, van Breugel P, Orwa C, Lillesø JPB, Jamnadass R and Graudal L (2015) Useful tree species for Eastern Africa: a species selection tool based on the VECEA map. Version 2.0. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and Forest & Landscape Denmark. //vegetationmap4africa.org
van Breugel P, Kindt R, Lillesø JPB, Bingham M, Demissew S, Dudley C, Friis I, Gachathi F, Kalema J, Mbago F, Moshi HN, Mulumba, J, Namaganda M, Ndangalasi HJ, Ruffo CK, Védaste M, Jamnadass R and Graudal L (2015) Potential Natural Vegetation Map of Eastern Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Version 2.0. Forest and Landscape (Denmark) and World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). URL: //vegetationmap4africa.org
van Breugel P, Kindt R, Lillesø J-PB, van Breugel M (2015) Environmental Gap Analysis to Prioritize Conservation Efforts in Eastern Africa. PLoS ONE 10(4): e0121444. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121444
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Disclaimer
The VECEA team and its partners make no warranties or representations, express or implied, regarding the use of the material appearing in this dataset with regard to their correctness, reliability, accuracy, or otherwise. The material and geographic designations in this dataset do not imply the expressions of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the VECEA team, the Copenhagen University or the World Agroforestry Center concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, nor concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The VECEA team, the Copenhagen University nor the World Agroforestry Center shall be responsible or liable to any person, firm or corporation for any loss, damage, injury, claim or liability of any kind or character based on or resulting from any information contained in the dataset.
Errors and omissions
The VECEA team endeavour to maintain accurate and up-to-date data at all times. However, if errors or omissions are identified, the user should notify the VECEA team so that they can be corrected in future releases of the data. Users can contact the VECEA team using the contact form.
