Broad-leaved shepherd's tree
Boscia mossambicensis

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A much branched shrub or small tree. It grows 6 m tall. The young branches are smooth and yellow. The older bark is grey brown. The leaf blade is 3-8 cm long by 1.5-3.5 cm wide. It is leathery and oval. It is rounded at the base. The flowers are at the ends of branches in dense clusters. There are 20 flowers on short side stalks. Flowers are green. The fruit are round and 2 cm across. They are yellow. There is one seed. It is 7-8 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and the highlands. It grows in dry woodland at lower altitudes. It grows in areas with a rainfall below 100 mm per year. It grows between 200-1,500 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

It is not an attractive fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Canungonungo, Cibanze, Chimapa, Chinamina, Muhwisa, Munhanja, Munheza, Mutumba, Muwisa, Napane, Naschandi

Synonyms

Boscia angustifolia sensu Oliv.; Boscia carsonii Bak.; Boscia welwitschii Gilg.;