Narrow-leaved butterspoon
Coptosperma supra-axillare

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It can grow to 7 m tall. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are narrowly oval. They are 10 cm long and shiny green. The flowers are in heads in the axils of leaves. They are creamy white. The fruit are round and black when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in mixed forest and woodland between 20-900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Litasmbo lenja, Tsambolenja

Synonyms

Pavetta supra-axillaris Hemsl.; Tarenna barbertonensis (Bremek.) Bremek.; Tarenna supra-axillaris (Hemsl.) Bremek.;