Maesa lanceolata var. rufescens

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-10 m tall. It can be climbing. The leaves are oval and 5-22 cm long by 2-12 cm wide. The leaves are softly hairy underneath. The flowers are small and creamy-white. They are in branched heads 10 cm long. The fruit is small, round, white and fleshy.

They are also put in the family Myrsinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests near rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo DR, Madagascar, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

Young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. The fruit are dried and crushed to release the seeds and then sown. They are best put in a nursery and later transplanted.

It grows quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Maesa bequaerti De Wild.; Maesa djalonis A. Chev.; Maesa lanceolata var. djalonensis Jaq.-Fel.; Maesa lanceolata var. golungensis Hiern; Maesa rufescens A.DC.; and others