Mountain peach, Albino peach
Aphloia theiformis

Family: Aphloiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It grows 10-18 m tall. The bark is brown and smooth. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are 3-8 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are glossy dark green above and tend to droop. The leaves have teeth. The flowers are in the axils of the leaves. They are in groups of 1-3 and are white. They have yellow stamens in the centre. The flowers have a scent. The fruit is a fleshy berry. It is white. It is 5 mm across.

There is probably only one Aphloia species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and also near the edges of the forest. It suits humid locations. It grows in mid altitude and mountain forest. In Malawi it grows between 1,250-2,450 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Comoros, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mascarene Islands, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten. The leaves are used to make tea.

The fruit are small.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Albino berry, Fandramanana, Ipatatiho, Kirandrambehivavy, Mussicate, Rambafotsy, Sicate, Voafotsy

Synonyms

Aphloia mauritiana Baker; Aphloia myrtiflora Galpin; Neumannia myrtifolia (Galpin) Th. Dur. & Schinz; Neumannia theiformis (Vahl) A. Rich.; Prockia theiformis (Vah.) Willd.; and others