Rauvolfia Caffra

Scientific Name: Rauvolfia Caffra

Common Name: Quinine Tree

Family: Apocynacae

Names in other languages: Mutongo, Mwerere, Rendet,Mlolo

General Information

The Rauvolfia Caffra is an evergreen tree comprised of many branches, reaching a height of up to 30 meters. Similar to a mango tree, but more oval and less dense. Very common around east africa, found most often in moist areas and along riverbanks at altitudes of up tp 2,100 meters.

Features of Rauvolfia Caffrathat make it identifiable:

The Bark is either light brown or greyish white and mostly smooth with some fissures

The Leaves are dark green and thinly leathery, with a pointed apex

The flowers are small and white, with a tubular appearance found in dense clusters of about 20mm across

The fruit are smooth and rounded, green at first, then turning blackish purple and wrinkled

Uses

The wood is pale and very light, used for carvings and utensils

The wood is also used for timber, fuelwood, and in the construction of beehives