Chironia baccifera

Family: Gentianaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 1 m tall. The branches can be angled or with wings. The leaves are narrow and spreading. They are 5-20 mm long by 1-2.5 mm wide. The edges are curved. The flowers occur singly at the ends of branches. They are pink. The fruit are red when ripe. There are many seeds.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows on sandy flats.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bitterbos, Bitterbessiebos, Spreeubos

Synonyms

Chironia baccata Hoffmans.; Chironia parviflora Salisb.;