Umugote (Waterberry / Water Pear)
Syzygium guineense
A robust riverine and wetland-edge tree whose sweet, dark fruit is eaten by people, birds and monkeys alike. Its bark and roots feature in remedies for dysentery and stomach ailments.
- Kinyarwanda name
- Umugote
- English name
- Waterberry / Water Pear
- Scientific name
- Syzygium guineense
- Family
- Myrtaceae
Habitat
Riverbanks, lake shores and wetland margins.
Distribution
Widespread across tropical Africa, common in Rwanda's wetlands and highland forests.
Uses
Firewood; fruit eaten fresh; bark decoction as an antidiarrheal; roots for stomach ailments.
Ecological importance
Stabilises riverbanks and wetland edges; fruit is an important wildlife food source.
Ibisobanuro
Imbuto ziribwa n'inyoni ndetse n'abantu. Imizi yinikwa mu mazi ikavura igicuri, ububabare mu gifu, n'inzoka zo munda.