Coastal red milkwood
Mimusops caffra

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tree. They can be 15-30 m tall. The branches are spreading. The trunk is 60 cm across. The bark is rough and cracked. Young plant parts have red hairs. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are leathery and narrow to the base. They are 1.3-7 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The edges roll under. They are grey-green above and paler underneath. The leaf stalks are 0.6-1.3 cm long. The flower buds are grouped in the axils of leaves. They are on long, curved, red, hairy stalks. The flowers are white and like stars. The fruit are 1.5-2 cm long and round. They are red when ripe. The pulp is starchy and sweet. The fruit are edible. There is one oval shiny brown seed.

There are 55 Mimusops species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to South Africa. They often grow along the seashore. It is very wind resistant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Hawaii, Malawi, Mozambique, Pacific, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are sweet. They can also be made into a drink.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

A fruit weighs about 2 g.

Its other names

Local names

Intunzi, Ithunzi, Itsole, Kusrooimelkhout, Moepel, Munore, Ndjole, Ntjhole, Ntole, Tchole-tchole, Tindsole, Tintjole, Tinzol, Tsole, Umakayi, Umdakamfene, Umhayihayi, Umnweba, Umtunzi, Umyagiya, Umyakayi

Synonyms

Mimusops revoluta Hochst.;