Narrow-leafed mustard tree
Salvadora australis

Family: Salvadoraceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. The trunk is short. It usually forms branches low down. The crown is rounded. The branches usually droop to the ground. The young twigs are hairy. The leaves are opposite and simple. They are long, narrow and grey-green. They are covered with fine soft hairs. The flowers are in loose heads at the ends of branches. They are small and greenish-white. The fruit is fleshy with a stone inside. It is oval and 5-10 mm long. They are greenish-pink and finely velvety.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in hot, low altitude bushveld. It is often on floodplains and salty flats. It can be on termite mounds. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit have a sweet peppery taste.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ichitamuzi, Smalblaarmosterboom, Umphene

Synonyms

Salvadora angustifolia Turrill var. australis (Schweick.) I. Verd.;