Lowveld false-currant
Allophylus rubifolius

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows about 5 m tall. The small branches are usually pale coloured. They can be hairy. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaf stalks is 5 cm long. The leaflet at the end is usually longer than the others. The end leaflet can be 5-9 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. They are papery and hairy on both surfaces. The flowers are small and yellowish-green. The fruit is oval and fleshy. It turns orange-red to black when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland. It is often on termite mounds.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Oman, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are bitter but are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kafupaka-cimbwi, Lala, Msempelele, Mututachikwi, Nabkwe, Napera, Nhamatubo, Nhapsipsi, Tarnia

Synonyms

Allophylus alnifolius (Baker) Radlk.; Allophylus erlangeri Gilg. & Engl.; Allophylus tristis Radlk.; Schmidelia rubifolia Hochst. ex A. Rich.