Resource 3: The gosenga

 Teacher resource for planning or adapting to use with pupils

Here is an example of a shrub or small tree commonly known as the Gosenga, which is widespread in West Africa.

• Name: Gosenga or Acaciadudgeoni.
• Where found: sandy soils in open savanna (location Yendi).
• Appearance of plant, leaves, flower and fruit, or seeds: flaky, reddish coloured bark with curved spines at nodes. Light green leaves. Small flowers and dried pods.
• Uses: a gum, firewood, wood for tools.
• Animals that can be associated with the plant: goats, antelopes and horses eat the leaves and young pods; bees get pollen from the flowers.
• Interesting beliefs: bark extract sometimes used for treating diarrhorea and dysentery in children.

Source: http://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] (Accessed 2008)