Euphorbia
(Mpasa)
Also known as Msopa, Chisopa, Mlewezi, Msongamino; Mwisya, Coast
Goldleaf
Bridelia micrantha
Family: euphorbiaceae
Range: Africa, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Ghana, Ivory
Coast, Malawi, Sierra Leone, South Africa, West Africa
Found in forests by rivers, forest edges or open woodlands, savannahs
and secondary forests, riverine woodlands, and gallery forests. It is
adaptable to a variety of climates. It grows from lowland forest to
high altitude woodland in Malawi, most especially near streams or in
moist places.
This is a medium-sized [18m] deciduous tree with a fairly dense,
spreading, roundish crown. The stem is relatively long and bare
and as they age, become smooth and pale grey to almost black. The
bark cracks in places and peels off in small, flat, square flakes.
Miombo is a type of deciduous woodland which covers a vast area of
southern Africa. The Mpasa is a common species of the Miombo
woodland habitat meaning
that it occurs throughout Zambia as well.
Euphorbia
This wood is fine grained and durable, with an attractive lustre
-excellent for furniture ! The tree's timber is also used for mining
and construction work. Mpasa is medium-heavy and hard. The
sapwood is buff-brown and the
heartwood brown. The texture is fine, works easily and produces a
smooth surface. It is termite resistant and quite suitable for
manufacturing of furniture.
It is also known as a good 'bee tree' with the honey made from its
nectar being of a very high quality.
The leaves are simple and are arranged symetrically and alternately on
young twigs. Their size varies enormously and they are rough in
texture and oblong. Their upper surface is dark green and glossy,
smooth and marginally entire. They eventually turn bright red to
reddish-brown.
Flowers occur in small groups in leaf axils. Their positioning is
sessile (no support such as a stalk) and they are very small, pale to
yellow-green and different sexes occur on different trees. Flower
buds appear in autumn and open in October/November.
Edible fruits occur in clusters, are ovoid and approx. 1cm x 0.7cm. in
size. Their mesocarp is relatively thick, their skin smooth and
pitch-black when ripe in January/February.
The roots are crushed and used for treating stomach aches, tapeworms,
diarrhea, headaches, and sore joints. The leaf sap is used for sore
eyes.
The fruits are sweet, tasting like currants and are readily eaten by
children.
In West and East Africa this tree is the host plant of the wild
silkworm, and has been grown from seed or cuttings for silk production.