Carpolobia goetzei

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It has many slender branches. It grows about 3 m tall. It can be a scrambler. The leaves are sword shaped and smooth. They are 10 cm long by 4 cm wide. They taper to the tip. They are stiff and leathery. They are a shiny green on both surfaces. The veins are easy to see on both sides. The flowers are small and white with purple tips. They occur as a few flowers in slender stalks 3 cm long. The fruit are black and 8 mm across. They are shiny when ripe. They are very sweet and edible.

There may be 14 Carpolobia species. Polygalaceae mostly grow in warm and temperate coastal areas which are not arid.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in coastal forests. It suits the lowlands. In Tanzania it grows from sea level to 1,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are fleshy and sweet and eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

In Tanzania the fruit are collected from April to June.

Its other names

Local names

Msiki, Mtindapo, Mzukizuki

Synonyms

Carpolobia alba var. zanguebarica Chodat; Carpolobia conradsiana Engl.; Carpolobia leandriana (Desc.) Breteler; Carpolobia suaveolens Meikle; Falya leandriana Desc.;