Landolphia parvifolia

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree 4 m high. It can be a creeper or vine. Young shoots have brown hairs. The leaves are neatly and closely arranged. They are leathery. The leaf blade is 3-5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. It usually does not have tendrils. The flowers are small. They have a sweet scent. The fruit are round and covered with lenticels. They can be 5 cm across. They can be white or purple or green with brown spots. They are edible. The seeds are 14-26 mm long.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in woodland and on rocky ground. It grows in river valleys and on lake shores. They grow between sea level and 1,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are cut and the juicy pulp is eaten.

The fruit are especially eaten by children. They are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Ripe fruit are collected from July to October.

Its other names

Local names

Kapwate, Maiko, Masala, Mateke

Synonyms

Landolphia claessensii De Wild.; Landolphia kirkii var. parvifolia (K. Schum.) Hallier. f.; Landolphia subterranea A. Chev.; Pacouria parvifolia (K. Schum.) Hallier f.;