Gummy gardenia
Gardenia resiniflua
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-5 m high. It has many branches. The wood is hard. Young branches have hairs. The leaves are mostly crowded on side shoots. The leaves are 2-10 cm long by 1-7 cm wide. They are oval and taper to the tip. The leaves are hairy underneath. The flowers occur as one to three in the axils of the upper leaves. The fruit is 9-14 mm long by 9-14 mm wide. The seeds are reddish-brown.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland and scrub often along rivers. In Zimbabwe it grow up to 1,300 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit ?
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Musulu, Musyimba-mpulu, Muzunda, Resin gardenia