African mulberry
Morus mesozygia

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A tree up to 15 m tall. It can be 30 m high. It has a light brown and white banded trunk. The bark contains a milky juice. The leaves are dark green. They are firm, smooth and thin. They are 5-13 cm long and 6 cm wide. The are oval with a narrowed base. The tip has a long jutting point. Three strong yellow veins develop from the base and then a network of veins are easily seen under the leaf. The leaf stalks are about 1.3 cm long. The flowers are male and female on different trees. They are small and yellow. The fruit are small and round. They are grouped together something like a mulberry. The fruit are edible.

There are about 16 Morus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in inland evergreen forest in South Africa. It also grows in coastal forest and dune forest. It grows up to 1,700 m altitude. In West Africa is grows on the northern side of the rain-forest and can grow in drier areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cabinda, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by using cuttings. Fresh seed should be used. Soaking seed in water for 12 hours gives a better germination. Seeds start to grow after 5-12 days.

Its other names

Local names

Bonde, Difou, Echik, Ewe aiye, Gonjut, Injori, Iseki, Kesse, Liguncumence, Mududula, Nepone, Nula, Ochik, Olape, Ossel, Po-di-bitcho-branco, Sachoo, Tongaland mulberry, Wonton

Synonyms

Celtis lactea Sim.; Morus lactea (Sim) Mildbr.; See Streblus