Bird-lime, Lighted candles
Tapinanthus oleifolius

Family: Loranthaceae

What it is like

A shrub that grows on other plants. It can grow 1.5 m high. Young stems are hairy. The leaves are arranged irregularly. The leaves vary but can be 3-5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. Flowers occur in single groups of 3-4 flowers. The fruit are oval berries. They are reddish-orange.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid places with a marked dry season. The dry season can be 6-11 months. It grows between 70-1,950 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The stems are dried, pounded and cooked. Then sugar and milk is added to make a drink. The leaves are also used. The nectar is sucked from the flowers. The fruit are eaten raw either fresh or dried.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Stems - drink, flowers - nectar, fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds need light to germinate.

Its other names

Local names

Haires, Haitsuib, Maias, Oilunda, Pagamela

Synonyms

Loranthus meyeri C. Presl; Loranthus meyeri C. Presl var. inachabensis Engl.; Loranthus speciosus F. Dietr,; Lichtensteinia oleifolia J. C. Wendl.; Loranthus namaquensis Harv.; Loranthus oleifolius (J. C. Wendl.) Cham. & Schltdl. var. luteus Neusser; Loranthus oleifolius (J. C. Wendl.) Cham. & Schltdl.; Tapinanthus namaquensis (Harv.) Tiegh.;