Known locally as Naphini.

From the Useful Tropical Plants Database

Terminalia sericea is a deciduous tree which usually grows 6 – 9 metres tall, but individual trees may reach 23m.

The tree is a popular and effective traditional medicine, being commonly harvested from the wild for local use. It also yields an edible gum, provides a range of commodities and can be grown to improve and stabilize the soil. It is an excellent pioneer species for restoring native woodland and it responds well to coppicing.

Root extracts have shown cytotoxic effects on cancer cells and leaf extract showed strong in-vitro activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. It is being used against various additional diseases.

The species is aggressive and is usually easily established. It regenerates readily in open areas, creating good conditions for slower-growing but longer-lived trees of the mature forest. It is a very good pioneer species for use when restoring native woodland. The plant improves sites by draining waterlogged soils, shading out weeds, and enriching impoverished soils. It is recommended for reforestation, agroforestry, soil stabilization and general land improvement purposes.

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