Forest wild medlar, Chirinda vangueria
Vangueria esculenta

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A slender shrub or small tree. It grows up to 10 m tall. The trunk is round and fluted. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are 7.6 cm long. They are oval or sword shaped. The tips have points and they taper to the base. The flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves. They are greenish-yellow. The fruit is roundish and 2.5 cm across. The fruit is edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in forest, dune forest and at the edges of forest. It grows between 1,100-1,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chirinda medlar, Emantulwa, Mispel, Mobilo, Muzwilu, Wild medlar

Synonyms

Vangueria chartacea Robyns; Vangueria cyanescens Robyns; Vangueria floribunda Robyns; See Canthium