Boscia albitrunca (the Shepherds Tree) - Famed Coffee Substitute of the Kalahari

The Shepherds tree (Boscia albitrunca), so called because it literally provides a safe haven to shepherds in the remote wilderness of the Kalahari desert. Not only does it give shade and fodder, it’s also traditionally used to make a hot beverage drunk as a coffee substitute (the Kalahari desert - aka the “Great Thirst” - not being known for the quality of its coffee!). In this episode, Gus (the African Plant Hunter) takes off to the little-known Kaa concession on the edge of the Kgalgadi Transfrontier Park to find an example of the Shepherds Tree. Dazzling white bark, beautiful olive green leaves and an unusual medicinal application combine to make this one of his favourite African trees!
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#boscia
#shepherdstree
#kalahari

[@mengistok]

It's also an ever green tree. Its the tree with the world's deepest roots. One was found with 68M deep roots.
It roots are also used to keep milk from going bad. You put a stick into fresh milk, and you can keep the milk for 1 month without using a refrigerator. Wonderful tree indeed.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks so much for sharing this fascinating titbit about the roots and milk!

[@BrixThePlanter]

I’ll take a second episode of it! 💚

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks. I'd better make a second episode of it then!

[@Sipapate]

Now I want to travel to Namibia to try that coffee 😅

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Please do, and share your findings with the rest of us!

[@jeffreyscanlan839]

Thanks for the knowledge you present and sharing plants with us that most of us will not ever get a chance to experience.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

It genuinely is my pleasure, Jeff!

[@nigelgericke2533]

I love this tree as well Gus. In the Kalahari we documented the fresh roots being pounded and added to honey and water to be fermented into mead; or with sugar water into an intoxicating beer.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks for that insight Nigel - that's a very cool traditional use I didn't know about. Think I need to get me some roots for our brewery up in Vic Falls......!

[@jazzvwbots]

Awesome, cheers Gus!

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@rawamothoa9935]

Damn …Nostalgia is seeping in now…Motlopi in one of our local languages, used to eat the berries when out foraging in the forest back in the days.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Yay, I actively encourage nostalgia! If we brought up our kids eating the same food we did back in the day, rather than bingeing on junk food, the world would be a happier, healthier place!

[@kamogelomosweu1869]

We call it motlopi in setswana.

[@tshephomakgopa4653]

It's almost all over botswana

[@Shingwedzi70]

Not sure why, but I find your channel so interesting 😂 It really is, and up till now, I had very little interest in plant life!

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Awesome! Thank you! If I can share my enthusiasm for plants with just one other person, then I'm happy!

[@DallasBasha]

Is this tree also known as the Witgat Tree?

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Exactly!

[@mahindamandeskarunarathna9486]

We are looking for trees called sterculia foetida wild almond Brabejum stellatifolium. Can you show us Wher is available?.thanks.

[@unomusadichabe9680]

I produce and sell this coffee in Botswana..

[@siphiwemaswanganye8986]

Hi, what are the health benefits of this coffee.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Nice, how does it taste?!

[@AnaMaria-fn9uk]

Onde encontrar

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Throughout southern Africa

[@mahindamandeskarunarathna9486]

Hi