African allophylus, African false-raisin
Allophylus africanus

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 3-5 m high. It can be smooth or hairy. It can be a tree 9-20 m tall. It forms branches low down. The leaves are alternate and have 3 leaflets. The flowers are creamy-white. They have a sweet scent. The fruit are small round red berries. The fruit are edible.

There are about 225 Allophyllus species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows near the edges of forests and along stream banks. It is often on termite mounds. It grows on the north shore of Lake Malawi. In Zimbabwe it grows between 960-1,540 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fleshy layer around the seeds is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Often self sown trees are transplanted.

Its other names

Local names

African false-currant, Anhese, Bu fankahen, Bugaintchom, Bugoentchom, Buguintcho-buaire, Bu singilit, Colchela, Coleala, Cordele, Futete, Kandula, Kashushumuhanda, Kieriehout, Kinsamba, Manau, Msawasawa, Mtalawanda, Mtatu, Mtsatule, Musiasi, Sambadjadei, Sambassatae, Sangasi, Veve-om

Synonyms

Allophylus griseo-tomentosus Gilg.; Allophylus alnifolius sensu Williamson; Allophyllus transvaalensis Burtt Davy; Allophyllus melanocarpus (Sonder) Radlk.; Allophyllus rhodesicus Exell.; The Plant List has a different list