Lance-leaved waxberry
Morella serrata

Family: Myricaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-9 m tall. It has many branches. It usually has male and female flowers on separate trees. The bark is grey. The leaves are scented. The leaf blades are 7-12 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are narrowly sword shaped. There are teeth along the edge. The male catkins are reddish. The fruit is oval and 3-4 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows along rivers and in marshy grassland. It grows between 1,550-2,150 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Leti, Maluleka, Meluleka, Mnungu, Monnamotsu, Mukungula, Uleti

Synonyms

Myrica serrata Lam.; Myrica conifera aucct. non Burm.f.; Myrica natalensis DC.;