Boscia senegalensis aka Senegal Boscia

Boscia senegalensis, or aizen, belongs to the Capparaceae family. This evergreen shrub or tree comes from Africa's dry belt. Its range runs from Senegal and Mauritania east across the Sahel. It reaches Egypt, Somalia and Kenya. It grows on stony slopes, sand dunes and cracked clay plains. It also grows on termite mounds and harsh, fire-scorched ground.

Its size changes with the site and available water. In very dry places, shrubs stay below 6.6 feet [2 metres]. Sources list a height of 26 feet [8 metres]. PFAF gives a spread of about 33 feet [10 metres]. In better sites, it forms a tree with a broad, rounded crown. It keeps its leaves year-round and grows at a moderate rate. A thick leaf cuticle helps it cope with drought.

The small yellow berries grow in clusters. They reach about 0.6 inches across and contain sweet, jelly-like pulp. Dry air soon turns that pulp firm, brown and sugary. People eat ripe fruit fresh or boil it. They also use the juice to make a thick sweet food. The pulp can cling tightly to the seed. Fruits reach local markets, and the plant provides food during shortages.

This species suits hot, dry tropical and subtropical sites. Detailed growing notes call for sun, despite PFAF's broader shade listing. It grows in sand, loam and clay, including poor, rocky ground. PFAF reports tolerance of strongly acid and strongly alkaline soils. It survives with just 100 millimetres of rain each year. Growth is better with 250–500 millimetres or more. It can withstand shade temperatures of 45°C. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12. Seeds sprout readily, but moving seedlings from nurseries to field sites can prove difficult.

People plant aizen to hold soil, steady dunes and form windbreaks. Livestock tend to avoid its leaves unless food runs short. People also place leaves with stored grain to deter pests. Traditional remedies use its leaves, roots and fruits for several ailments. These uses do not establish that such treatments work or are safe. Edible parts include fruit, leaves, seeds and young roots stripped of bark. However, raw seeds are poisonous and need careful leaching before use. Leafless twigs contain compounds that can release toxic mustard oils. These oils can irritate mucous membranes. Its food uses therefore do not mean every part is safe.