Desert date
Balanites aegyptiaca
''Balanites aegyptiaca'' is a species of tree, classified as a member of either the Zygophyllaceae or the Balanitaceae. This tree is native to much of Africa and parts of the Middle East.
There are many common names for this plant. In English the fruit has been called desert date, soap berry tree or bush, Thron tree, Egyptian myrobalan, Egyptian balsam or Zachum oil tree; in Arabic it is known as ''lalob'', ''hidjihi'', ''inteishit'', and ''heglig'' . In Jieng it is called ''Thou or thau'', in Hausa it is called ''aduwa,'' in Tamasheq, the Tuareg language ''taboraq'', in Swahili ''mchunju'' and in Amharic ''bedena''.
There are many common names for this plant. In English the fruit has been called desert date, soap berry tree or bush, Thron tree, Egyptian myrobalan, Egyptian balsam or Zachum oil tree; in Arabic it is known as ''lalob'', ''hidjihi'', ''inteishit'', and ''heglig'' . In Jieng it is called ''Thou or thau'', in Hausa it is called ''aduwa,'' in Tamasheq, the Tuareg language ''taboraq'', in Swahili ''mchunju'' and in Amharic ''bedena''.