Large cluster pear
Uvaria lucida

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A climber. It grows 9 m high. The stems can be 8 cm across. The leaves are oval and wider at the tip. The leaves are 1-10 cm long. The hairs are star shaped. There are scales on the lower surface. The flowers are yellow green. There are 1-3 together. They are at the ends of the stems. The fruit have rusty hairs. They are 1-3 cm long. There are 3-12 seeds.

Variety virens in Zimbabwe.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in the understorey in rainforest. It suits humid locations. In Malawi it grows between 600-1,800 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The fruit are used to make juice. They can also be dried or made into jam.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In Tanzania fruit are available from April to June.

Its other names

Local names

Dzala-bomu, Mchofu, Mganda simba, Mngweni-mulume, Mshofu, Msofu, Mudzala

Synonyms

Uvaria virens N. E. Br.;