Mutungu
Thylacium africanum
Family: Capparaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows up to 5 m tall. The leaves often have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 3-10 cm long by 1-6 cm wide. They are narrowly sword shaped. The flowers are 3 cm across and greenish-white. They have a dark purple centre. They are in groups with a few flowers. The fruit have 5-10 ribs.
An unresolved name in The Plant List.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in semi arid places. In Tanzania it grows between sea level and 1,600 m above sea level. It is rare in Swaziland. It grows in the lowlands.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The skin of the root is removed, the cortex cut up, pounded, and soaked, then strained, and the remaining material boiled for many hours and used as a porridge. Caution: It can be toxic unless well prepared. The fruit are eaten fresh.
It is an important famine food. The fruit are eaten especially by children.
Edible parts
Tuber, root, fruit
How it is grown
The plant can be grown by seeds or cuttings.
Tubers are collected during the rainy season. Dried flour can be stored for several months.
Its other names
Local names
Kishangalaji, Lolmugi, Matanuyu, Mdudu, Mtongi, Mtungu, Mtunguru, Mtunguu, Mutungu, Mwimahigulu, Raa-wa-mburi, Sakarantei, Shingaazi, Umududu