Mtambachiko
Canthium glaucum

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A spiny shrub. It grows 2-4 m high. The bark is grey or brown. The leaves have short leaf stalks. The leaves are narrowly oval and 2-5 cm long. There are 2 spines near the base of the leaf. The flowers are green and a few in a group. The fruit is squarish and green and turns yellow to orange when ripe.

variety frangula in Zimbabwe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Kenya it grows in coastal bushland between sea level and 150 m altitude. It is usually in open places with deep sandy soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Somalia, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are fleshy and sweet.

The fruit are popular.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mfuranje, Mtengeji, Mupuli

Synonyms

Plectronia glauca (Hiern) K. Schum.;