Umunzenze (Wild Olive / African Olive)
Olea europaea subsp. africana
The African wild olive is a hardy, slow-growing evergreen closely related to the Mediterranean olive. Its leaves, bark, roots, flowers and seeds all feature in traditional medicine across Rwanda, and its dense wood is prized for carving.
- Kinyarwanda name
- Umunzenze
- English name
- Wild Olive / African Olive
- Scientific name
- Olea europaea subsp. africana
- Family
- Oleaceae
Habitat
Highland forest margins and rocky slopes.
Distribution
South Africa, tropical Africa, and around the Mediterranean basin.
Uses
Leaf and fruit preparations for eye infections, sore throat, headache and blood pressure; wood for carving and tool handles.
Ecological importance
Provides year-round cover and forage in dry highland woodland; a hardy component of Rwanda's indigenous greenbelt plantings.
Ibisobanuro
Amababi y'umunzenze afite kurinda kanseri, kubyimbirwa, diabete n'umuvuduko w'amaraso. Umuti ukozwe mu mababi n'imbuto uvura amaso, ukagabanya umuvuduko w'amaraso, ugatuma impyiko zikora neza.