Multidentia crassa

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-6 m tall. The bark on the main trunk is dark. It peels off to reveal a reddish colour. The leaves are mostly at the tips of the branches. The leaf blades are 3-28 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. They can vary in shape but can be almost round. The flowers are in groups in the axils of the leaves. The flowers have a woolly covering. The fruit is green with a mottled brown colour. It is 35-40 mm wide and edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands. It grows in open forest. It grows in Miombo woodland. In Tanzania it grows between 900-2,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burundi, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

The fruit are quite well liked. Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mandikite, Maviro, Mbewe, Mbilima, Mfilu, Mkangandembo, Mkukumaka, Mnonga, Munkolo-bondo, Muygoyogo, Mvilo, Mvingomba, Nyogoyogo

Synonyms

Canthium crassum (Schweinf.) Hiern.; Vangueria crassa (Hiern) Schweinf. ex Hiern;