Blutfruchtbaum, Terminalia prunioides

Strauch oder kleiner Laubbaum, bis zu 10 m hoch, im offenen Wald und Dickicht. C. N.: Kuakua, Kuokua (kb). Verwendungen: Artefakte, Kohle, Brennholz, Lebensmittel, Arzneimittel. Erhaltung: LC (IUCN 2017) F. Monteiro 1208 (LUAI, LISC)

Terminalia prunioides, commonly known as the purple-pod cluster-leaf, purple-pod terminalia, or in Afrikaans as sterkbos or bloedvrugboom, is a small deciduous African tree in the family Combretaceae. It is native to eastern and south-central parts of the continent, ranging from Ethiopia and Somalia in the north to South Africa in the south.

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Timber and fuel The wood is yellow, hard, heavy, tough, and exceptionally durable, even in saline water where it is resistant to borers. It is traditionally used for making tool handles, fence posts, hut building, dhow keels, and wagon axles. It is also valued as a good source of firewood and for making high-quality charcoal. Medicinal uses The plant is used in traditional medicine across its range. In Somalia, a decoction is taken to relieve postnatal abdominal pains. The bark is chewed to treat coughs, sore throats, and stomach-aches, while the roots are chewed to treat colds. Research has shown that leaf extracts of T. prunioides possess significant antifungal activity against pathogens such as Microsporum canis, which causes ringworm and other dermatophyte infections. Other uses An edible gum exudes from the trunk and branches of the tree. A tea is sometimes made from the fruits and leaves. The leaves can be used as a green manure to improve soil. The rotten heartwood is occasionally pulverised and used as a fragrance for cosmetic purposes.