Cape gardenia, Candlewood
Rothmannia capensis

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It is evergreen. The trunk is slender and straight. It can be 10 m high. The branches go out horizontal and droop down at the ends. The leaves are opposite, with an odd third leaf. The leaves are crowded towards the ends of branches. The crown is narrow. The flowers are at the ends of branches. They occur singly and are white with red streaks inside. The fruit is round and 7 cm across. They are green.

There are 30 Rothmannia species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in forest and on rocky hillsides.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia

How it is used for food

Ripe fruit are eaten.

The fruit are edible but not pleasant.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The seeds should be removed from the pith then germinate easily. Seeds should not be allowed to dry out. Seeds germinate in 14 days.

It grows moderately quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Common Rothmannia, Intumbamadlozi, Kaapse katjiepiering, Munyanya, Sikhokho

Synonyms

Gardenia rothmannia L. f.;