Blue-leaved bush-cherry
Maerua edulis

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It has slender, straight stems. It can grow 3 m tall. There are many leaves and these are alternate. The leaf stalks are 4 mm long. The leaf blade is broadly oval and 2 cm long by 2 cm wide. They are greyish. The flowers occur singly in the axils of the leaves. They are about 1.3 cm long by 5 mm wide. There are many stamens. The fruit stalk is about 2 cm long.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands. In Swaziland it grows in the low veld only. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are boiled and eaten. The water is thrown away. Caution: The fruit probably have poisonous elements. The root is used in soup and for porridge.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution, nut, root, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Amoyo, Catungulo, Chicole, Inswaniswani, Kabuuli, Kagumbua, Katungulo, Katunguru, Lamuegi, Mejacocone, Mugufe

Synonyms

Courbonia glauca (Klotzsch) Gilg. & Benedict; Maerua decumbens (Brongn.) De Wolf; Maerua glauca (Klotzsch) Gilg. & Benedict; Maerus subcordata (Gilg) De Wolf; Maerua bussei (Gilg & Benedict) Wilczek; Courbonia subcordata Gilg; Courbonia edulis Gilg. & Benedict;