Dobera glabra
Dobera glabra is an evergreen shrub or tree native to the Somali peninsula, North Eastern Kenya and Ethiopia and South Tihamah. In Somali speaking regions its widely known as Garas. In Ethiopia you will find it in Nechisar National Park and along the Sagan River in the Konso special woreda of Ethiopi. It is also sparsely distributed in Afar Region where the tree is much appreciated for its fruits. It is known to grow up to 10 meters in height.
| Dobera glabra | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Salvadoraceae |
| Genus: | Dobera |
| Species: | D. glabra |
| Binomial name | |
| Dobera glabra | |
It is well known to the local Konso people (who call it karsata) for growing new shoots, flowers, and seeds during dry weather. They use it as an indicator of potential famine and drought conditions. D. glabra produces edible fruits and the seed is considered a typical famine food. However, the fruits must be cooked for a long time (i.e. up to 24 hours), they have a bad smell, and excessive consumption causes stomach aches and other intestinal problems.[1]
References
- Yves Guinand and Dechassa Lemessa, "Wild-Food Plants in Southern Ethiopia: Reflections on the role of 'famine-foods' at a time of drought" Archived 2010-10-11 at the Wayback Machine UN-OCHA Report, March 2000 (accessed 15 January 2009)