Umcozi (Syzygium cordatum)

Description: An evergreen tree reaching 8–15 meters in height, featuring a dark brown, rough, corky bark. Leaves are elliptic to circular, bluish-green on top and paler below. It produces white to pinkish fragrant flowers with numerous fluffy stamens, and red to dark-purple oval berries when ripe.

Origin: Indigenous to Southern Africa

Location: Commonly found along streambanks and forest margins throughout Eswatini.

Conservation Status:

Species: ()

Family:

Species IUCN Status:

Species Description:

Associated Heritage Sites:

General Uses:

Edible fruits; bark used as fish poison; potential source of natural dyes.

Benefits:

Provides shade; attracts birds and butterflies; edible fruits; used in traditional medicine.

Challenges:

Requires moist environments; may not thrive in arid conditions.

Medical Benefits:

Bark used to treat diarrhea and stomach ailments; fruits consumed for their nutritional value.

Cultural Significance:

Holds traditional value in local communities; used in various cultural practices.

Ecological Role:

Supports biodiversity by providing habitat and food for various species; contributes to ecosystem stability.

Threats and Conservation Efforts:

Currently not threatened; conservation status is Least Concern.

Myths:

No specific myths documented.