Rhamnus prinoides

Taxobox
name = Shiny-leaf Buckthorn


image_caption = "Rhamnus prinoides", foliage
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Rosales
familia = Rhamnaceae
genus = "Rhamnus"
subgenus = "Rhamnus"
species = "R. prinoides"
binomial = "Rhamnus prinoides"
binomial_authority = Eschsch.

The Shiny-leaf Buckthorn is an African shrub or small tree in the family Rhamnaceae. It occurs from Ethiopia to South Africa at medium to high altitudes. They often grow near streams or along forest margins. The small edible fruits are shiny red and berry-like.

The plant has many uses amongst the inhabitants of Africa. All parts of the plant are harvested and may be used for nutrition, medicine or superstitious purposes. In Ethiopia, where the plant is known as "gesho", it is used in a manner similar to hops: the stems are boiled and the extract mixed with honey to ferment a mead called "tej". [Richard Pankhurst, "Economic History of Ethiopia" (Addis Ababa: Haile Selassie I University, 1968), p. 194.] It is also used in the brewing of "tella", an Ethiopian variety of beer.

References

* Trees of Southern Africa, K C Palgrave, 1984 ISBN 0 86977 081 0

External reference

* [http://www.answers.com/topic/east-africa Beverages in Africa]