False marula
Lannea schweinfurthii var. stuhlmannii

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 3-5 m tall. The crown is round and spreading. The small branches droop. The leaves are compound. They are usually crowded at the ends of branches. There are usually 3-5 leaflets. They are shiny and stiff. The larger leaflet at the end is 9 cm long. The flowers are small and cream coloured. They have a strong scent. They are in spikes that hang down and are 20 cm long. Trees are separately male and female. The fruit is 1-2 cm long and oblong. They are red-brown and fleshy.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands. It grows in deciduous woodland and wooded grassland. In Tanzania it grows from sea level to 1,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. The fruit and seeds are sweet.

Edible parts

Fruit, bark

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

In Tanzania fruit are collected from May to June.

Its other names

Local names

Cirusa, Eravande, Hantarka, Ishighe, Ishishina, Kipwipwi, Mnumbu, Mnyumbu, Mpwipwi, Msighe, Muhingilo, Mumendo, Musagha, Muwumbu, Omosaruwa, Orbochandi, Thigi

Synonyms

Lannea kirkii Burtt Dav Lannea stuhlmannii (Engl.) Engl.; Odina stuhlmannii Engl.;