Umusange (Splinter Bean)
Entada abyssinica
An unarmed small tree (2.7-15m) with a spreading, flat or rounded crown and finely bipinnate, fern-like leaves. Its sweetly-scented creamy-white flowers give way to very long flat pods that break apart into papery, one-seeded segments.
- Kinyarwanda name
- Umusange
- English name
- Splinter Bean
- Scientific name
- Entada abyssinica
- Family
- Fabaceae (Mimosaceae)
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
Habitat
Savanna woodland in moister savanna regions of the seasonally-dry tropics.
Distribution
One of the most widespread Fabaceae in tropical Africa, across roughly 28 countries from Senegal/Guinea to Ethiopia, south to Angola, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe; confirmed present in Rwanda.
Uses
Traditional medicine. Scientific research isolated the compound entadanin from the bark, showing potent antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium and antioxidant activity; treat any anticancer claim as a preliminary lab finding, not a proven treatment.
Ecological importance
As a legume it fixes atmospheric nitrogen via root nodules, enriching surrounding soil; its sweetly-scented flowers attract bees and other pollinators.
Ibisobanuro
kuvura indwara. Abavuzi gakonda bayivuza: Inkorora, Rubagimpande, indwara z'ubuhumekero, Gucibwamo, umuriro, gukuuramo inda. Ubushakashatsi bwabonye muri icyo giti Entandanin ivura Kanseri, ikarwanya bagiteri.