Albizia anthelmintica
Worm-cure tree (English); Wurmrindenbaum (German) Umuama (Herero)

A tree reaching 10 meters in height, occasionally bushy, occuring in a variety of habitats. Bark is smooth, pale grey or redish-grey to brown. Leaves are obovate to almost circular. Flowers are usually produced before the leaves, the white stamens forming the half-spherical fluffy head (July to September). Fruit - straw-coloured pod appears the following September to November.


In Namibia the bark is regarded as an anthelmintic especially against tape worms and has for long been used in a similar way in Ethiopia and Somalia, hence it's specific name. Extensive tests carried out under controlled conditions have shown that the bark is, in fact, effective against type worm infestation. In a powdered form it seems to be more successful than as a decoction, and treatment has produced no unpleasant side-effects. However, this should not be tried without medical advice.