Green apple
Monodora junodii
Family: Annonaceae
What it is like
A bushy shrub or slender tree. It grows to 7 m high. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are oblong and 6.5-16 cm long by 3-3.5 cm wide. They are shiny pale green. They taper to the base. The leaves droop. The flowers bloom in late spring. They are very striking. They are reddish-brown and hang downwards. The look something like a butterfly or orchid flower. The fruit are round and mottled. They are 4 cm across. They become dark brown and deeply ridged. There is a hard shell with many dry brown seeds inside.
The seeds are used for necklaces.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in dry sand forest. It occurs in hot, dry, rocky outcrops. They are probably sensitive to frost. It can grow in arid places. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 900 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit is hard and woody but is edible.
The fruit is sweet but dry.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Trees are a little difficult to establish.
Its other names
Local names
Angotche, Cora, Ebyuufa, Nchinga, Umkotshi