Snuff Box Tree (Snuifkalbassie)

Snuff Box Tree (Snuifkalbassie) #

Oncoba spinosa

Oncoba spinosa

Quick Info #

  • Distribution & habitat: Mpumalanga and further north – bushveld and riverine fringe forest
  • Family: Salicaceae
  • Florescence: September to January
  • Fruiting: April to July
  • Leaf habit: evergreen
  • Name origin: “oncoba” is derived from “onkub”, which is the Arabic name for the North African species, and “spinosa” refers to the spines
  • Other names: fried egg tree

Description #

The snuff box tree is often only a shrub and reaches a maximum of about 8–13 metres in length. The ovoid leaves grow singly and are thin, hairless and leathery. The large, snow-white, pleasantly-aromatic flowers look similar to roses and have a central mass of yellowish stamens. The roughly spherical fruits are hard and smooth with pointed tips.

The tree is adorned with short, sharp thorns and has fairly smooth bark of a mottled grey. The small fruit is roundish and has a hard shell. Inside is sour, yellowish flesh containing seeds.

Uses & Ecology #

The namesake utility is the making of snuff boxes from the tree’s hard-shelled fruit. The fruits are also used as rattles when the dry seeds are left inside. The fruit pulp can technically be eaten, but it is not great-tasting.

The roots are used in traditional African medicine to treat bladder complaints and dysentery. Oncoba spinosa is also used in traditional Congo medicine as a panacea.

The wood can be used for things like cabinetry and inlay. It is also used for fuel.

Caution: Do not medically use or ingest any plant parts before consulting a qualified health practitioner. Any mentioned traditional uses are based on cultural practices and anecdotal evidence. They are not necessarily clinically proven or supported by modern scientific studies.

References #