Bush berry
Maesobotrya barteri

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 10 m high. The trunk is crooked. It produces its flowers and fruit along the trunk. The fruit are succulent and black/purple. They are oval and 1 cm long. They are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is an under-storey plant of the high rain-forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial-Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, West Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten and used to flavour sauces and other dishes. They are also used for jams and jellies. The fruit stain the tongue.

The fruit are popular.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In Liberia the fruit are produced from November to January.

Its other names

Local names

Abizakoue, Ghorgbortie, Gbortali, Gogobin, Kein, Kouatie-kouale, Quen, Quin, Wuloh chua

Synonyms

Baccaurea barteri (Baill.) Mull.Arg.; Maesobotrya brevispicata Pax; Maesobotrya dissitiflora Pax; Pierardia barteri Baill.;