Simply called Croton in English, the Meru name is Marabai and Maasai Ol Mergoit but it seems no particular name has been given in Swahili.
The tree is a dominant upper-storey forest tree in East Africa and widespread around Kilimanjaro, Meru, Ngorongoro and Usambara. There remain single specimens in cultivated areas. Requires adequate rainfall and the endemic range is 1 200 - 2 400 m but it has been planted at lower altitudes.
Description: A spreading deciduous tree >35m with distinctive layering of branches. The crown tends to be flattish and provides lighter shade. Bark is dark grey, rough and with cracking. Leaves are variable, long oval - pointed .12cm and often shorter. Dull green upper surface with silvery underside. Flowers are short-lived but conspicuous - buds opening after heavy rain - are pale yellow spikes >25cm with a few female flowers at the base. The fruit are grey/brown woody capsules 2.5cm containing three flatted (speckled) seeds inside.
Uses: Bee fodder, shade, mulch, medicine from the bark, poles, timber and fuel-wood.
Propagation: The tree seeds prolifically and there are 1000 seeds per kg. Seed cannot be stored for long because of the oil contained within the kernel. After 6 months the seeds sour and will have lost 50% viability.
Direct sow into pots and 70% germination can be expected after 30 days.
Seedings are fast growing and the tree responds to lopping to reduce the crown over crops.
The seed had a high oil content and has been taken as a purgative but is powerful! Some cultures prefer not to have the tree near houses.
The smoke from firewood is an eye irritant.
Fallen leaves are naturally recycled to add soil nutrient and is a hansom tree on roadsides.
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