African cranberry
Vaccinium exul

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-4 m high. It can be 7 m high. The bark is light brown. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are oval and 4-6 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are leathery. They are green above and blue-green below. The edges are toothed. The leaf stalk is 5 mm long. The flowers are greenish or creamy-white. They are bell-shaped and 7 mm long. They occur in sprays in the axils of leaves. These are 4 cm long. The fruit are almost round and 7 mm across. They are red and become black when mature. The calyx forms a crown at the end.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows at high altitudes. It occurs in rocky outcrops and steep mountain grassland. It is often near the edges of forest. In Malawi it is not common and occurs at above 1,800 m altitude. It occurs up to 2,450 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten. They make good jam.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Vaccinium africanum Britten; Vaccinium exul Bolus var. africanum (Britten) Brenan;