Common Name:

General Information

Debregeasia saeneb is an evergreen shrub or small tree with pendulous branches; it can grow around 0.5 - 5 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use, mainly as a source of fibre but also for its edible fruit, as a medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as a hedge[].

Known Hazards

Unlike many species in the nettle family (Urticaceae), members of this genus do not have stinging hairs[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Northwest Africa - Eritrea, Ethiopia, through Arabia to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, western China (Xinjiang, Xizang)

Habitat

Forests and shrubberies[], chiefly along watercourses, at elevations from 1,500 - 2,400 metres[, ]. Shady, moist places by streams, forests in mountain valleys; at elevations from 1,000 - 3,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Debregeasia saeneb is a plant mainly of moist climates, found at moderate elevations in the subtropics of Asia and extending into the tropical regions of northeast Africa. Plants can tolerate occasional, short-lived lows to about -5°c and can be grown outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zome[].
Prefers a fertile well-drained loam with some shelter at the hottest part of the day[].
Plants are often dioecious (sometimes monoecious), both male and female forms will usually need to be grown if seed and fruit are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Sweet but insipid and mucilaginous[]. About the size of a pea[, ]. It can be used as a flavouring[, ].

Medicinal

The aerial parts of the plant are dried and powdered, then mixed with mustard oil and then applied topically as an antifungal for curing skin rashes, dermatitis and eczema[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be trimmed and is sometimes grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

A strong fibre is obtained from the bark[, ]. Of excellent quality, it is used for making twine and rope[, , , , , , ].

The branches are used in thatching[].

Wood - soft and light. It is not much use[] and is employed mainly as a fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter to mid-summer in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 months at 20°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Softwood cuttings in early summer[].