Meyna tetraphylla

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A spiny shrub. It grows 2-4 m high. The branches curve upwards and the crown is narrow. It can be a creeper. The bark is grey-brown. There are pairs of spines where the leaves are attached. The leaves are yellow-green and slightly shiny. The flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves. They are cream or green. The fruit is an almost round five angled berry. It is 2 cm across. There are 2 subspecies. Subspecies comorensis is more common and tetraphylla occurs in northern Kenya

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Kenya it grows from sea level to 1,100 m altitude. It grows in bushland and along watercourses in dry country. It grows on rocky and sandy soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Comoros, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan

How it is used for food

The fruit are sweet and are eaten.

The fruit are popular.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kakamoa, Kitootoo, Kitotoo, Kitolousuu, Kuec, Mukurungu, Onakii, Qaaleda

Synonyms

Canthium tetraphyllum (Schweinf. ex Kiern) Baill.; Vangueria tetraphylla Schweinf. ex Hiern;