While its scientific name Warburgia ugandensis may look good in a research paper, others may prefer its romantic English name, the East African greenheart. Local Kikuyu populations refer to this slow-growing, hardy tree as the Muthiga, and frequently enjoy its many edible parts. For example, the hot, peppery seeds can be used to add flavour to curries. Leaves, pods and seeds are sometimes fed to livestock. The high oil content of this tree gives it a pleasant aroma which can last over four years in storage—the smell is similar to sandalwood. This tree engages the senses as well as provides rich medicinal uses. Its dried bark is often chewed, its juice often swallowed as a remedy for stomachache, constipation, toothache, cough, fever, muscle pains, and weak joints. Although it also provides a useful treatment against malaria, the side-effects may not be worth it—some have reported the Greenheart to cause violent vomiting.

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Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

Psalm 104:25-30