Cape sumach
Colpoon compressum

Family: Santalaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows up to 4.5 m tall. The bark is grey and thin. The leaves are oval and crowded up the stems in opposite pairs. They are 3.5 cm long by 1.7-2.7 cm wide. They are blue-green with a grey bloom. The flowers are small and yellowish-green. They occur in bunches on the ends of branches. Flowers contain both male and female flower parts. The fruit is oval and less than 1 cm across. They are dark purple to red when ripe. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is common on sand dunes and in dune bush. It also grows among rocks on the lower slopes of mountains.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten raw.

Fruit are stored.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In South Africa the fruit ripen July to August.

Its other names

Local names

Bergbas, Imbulunyathi, Intekeza, Isiduli, Mtekaaza, Pruimbos, Umbalanythi, Umbulanyathi

Synonyms

Osyris compressa (Bergius) A. DC.;