Miamingomo
Caloncoba welwitschii

Family: Achariaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows to 10-12 m high. The leaves are dark green. They are large and 25 cm long by 18 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 15 cm long. The flowers are showy and have a sweet smell. The petals are bright white. The flowers are 10 cm across and are produced on older wood. The fruit is about 8 cm across and covered with slender spines. The fruit split into 5 or 6 parts when mature. There are several seeds. These are round and 6 mm across.

Also put in the family Flacourtiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest. It suits humid locations. It grows in the evergreen forest in West Africa. In Malawi it is common between 1,600-1,900 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, Congo R, East Africa, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Southern Africa, Tanzania, West Africa

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten. Caution: The dried powdered seeds are poisonous.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds. It can be cut back and will re-grow.

Its other names

Local names

Kisani, Kisania, Mukura, Nsani

Synonyms

Oncoba welwitschii Oliv.;