Mascarenhasia arborescens

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-8 m tall. It can be taller. The leaves are 5-17 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The flowers are creamy white. There are several flowers in a group in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit are straight follicles. They are 5-18 cm long and have a rough grey surface. The seeds are 11-15 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Comoros, Congo DR, East Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, medicine

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Herotra hazo

Synonyms

Echites arborescens Bojer ex A. DC.; and several others