Gourd milkwood
Vitellariopsis ferruginea

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 8 m high. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are clustered near the ends of branches. The leaves are oval and 4.5-7 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are leathery. The young branches and leaves are covered with dark red hairs. The upper surface of mature leaves does not have hairs. The flowers are white or tinged with pink. They are about 1.5 cm across. They are on slender stalks 2 cm long. They occur in groups of 2-4 in the axils of leaves. The fruit are mainly oval but with the end drawn out and curved. They look like small gourds. They are about 3.5 cm long and 1.7 cm wide. They are covered with reddish-brown hairs. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on rocky hills and in wooded ravines. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw as dessert fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Austromimusops sylvestris (S. Moore) A. Meeuse; Vitellariopsis femiginea Kupicha; Vitellariopsis sylvestris (S. Moore) Aubrev.;