African dog-rose
Xylotheca kraussiana

Family: Achariaceae

What it is like

A small shrub or tree up to 6 m high. The bark is light grey and rough. The crown has glossy evergreen leaves. The leaves are 2.5-10 cm long and 1.9-5 cm wide. They are oval or sword shaped. They are dark green above and paler underneath. There are 7-11 pairs of side veins which loop along the edge. The veins and midrib are slightly raised. The flowers are large and white. They occur either singly or as a few flowers together. These are in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. Flowers are 6 cm across. The fruit are round with a point. They are 5 cm across. They are hard and yellow or orange when ripe. They split into 4 sections showing black seeds with an orange aril.

Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in coastal areas on the edge of forests and in bush and scrub.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are not eaten but are sometimes chewed and spat out. The bright red aril or layer around the seeds is eaten.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit- masticatory

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Afrikaanse hondsroos, Balecane, Mubalecua, Uassate

Synonyms

Oncoba kraussiana (Hochst.) Planch.;