Ancylanthos rubiginosus

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1 m tall. The stems are erect. There can be one or several stems. They grow from a woody rootstock. Young plants have yellow hairs. The leaves are opposite or in rings. They are 3-15 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. The flowers are large. They are produced at nodes that have no leaves. The fruit is about 4 cm long. It is dark purple and turns light brown when ripe.

There is only one Ancylanthos species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Namibia it grows in deep red sand. It grows between 900-1,400 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used to make wine.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Isya-matanda, Iyamba, Musyola, Omumbu, Yamba

Synonyms

Ancylanthos bainesii Hiern.; Ancylanthos ferrugineus Welw.; Ancylanthos fulgidus Welw. ex Hiern.;