20 Indigenous Trees and Fruits of the Somali People and Their Somali Names

Somali communities have a rich relationship with indigenous trees that provide food, livestock fodder, shade, gum and other valuable resources.

Here are 20 indigenous trees and plants, their Somali names and scientific names:

1. Abaa, Abak, Qura – Acacia tortilis

2. Adad, Edad – Acacia senegal

3. Adadak, Asel – Pappea capensis

4. Adishabel – Carissa spinarum

5. Alol, Maleqa – Phoenix reclinata

6. Bili – Acacia mellifera

7. Bukuraal – Kigelia africana

8. Gup – Ziziphus mauritiana

9. Hamar – Tamarindus indica

10. Koshum – Dovyalis abyssinica

11. Kull an – Balanites aegyptiaca

12. Marer – Cordia monoica

13. Siko – Oncoba spinosa

14. Sogdu – Markhamia lutea

15. Tuger – Acacia nilotica

16. Wera – Olea europaea

17. Daresa – Garcinia livingstonei

18. Deen, Dheenden ro'o – Berchemia discolor

19. Canjeel – Mimusops kummel

20. Erip – Lawsonia inermis

These plants are adapted to the unique conditions of Somali drylands, where rainfall is limited and temperatures can be extreme. They support people, livestock and wildlife while helping maintain soil health and biodiversity.

Restoring Somali landscapes means protecting and planting the native species that belong there.