Cordia ovalis DC. (Synonym)

Family name
Boraginaceae

Local name(s)
Tolo’ota (Konsogna), Marergom, Marer-girgir (Somali), Qotte, Mader (Borena)

General description
Spreading, much branched bush, shrub or tree to 6m high (normally 3-5m). If left untouched (not pruned) it could grow to a tree. The bark is yellow to ash grey, smooth and flaking. Flowers are of cream colour that turn brown when drying. The fruits are yellowish or orange circulars up to 2cm across.

Edible part(s), preparation methods and palatability
Fruits are edible. The fruit coat is normally removed and the pulp together with the seed is sucked and the seed afterwards discarded. The fruits are picked and consumed raw by children in normal times. But when food shortage occurs, all people, children and adults alike, collect and eat it. The fruit tastes very sweet and similar to the fruit of C. sinensis, (‘Maderta’ in Konsogna).

Agroecology
The species grows in India, Sri Lanka and in Africa from Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya down to South Africa. It is very common along valley bottoms and watercourses on rocky areas and red clay soils from sea level to 2,200m.

Propagation method(s)
Propagates by seeds sown directly and without pre-treatment.

Sample location(s)
Jarso Kebele, Konso

Remarks
The species is also used for live fencing, firewood, char coal, handles , wood carving, beehive hooks. The leaves are camel and goat fodder. 
 
¹ Parts of the following description have been taken from Maundu et al., 1999: p. 103

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C. monoica bush as living fence around the homestead in a place called ‘New York’ in Jarso Kebele, Konso