Narrow-leaved mahobohobo
Uapaca nitida
Family: Phyllanthaceae
What it is like
A small to medium sized tree. It grows to 10 m high. The bark is dark grey, rough and cracked. The leaves are narrowly oval and 5-16 cm long by 1.5-4.5 cm wide. They are shiny green above. The flowers are creamy-green and small. The fruit are oval and 2 cm long. They have 12 faint ribs. The fruit are red when ripe. The fruit are edible.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It occurs at low altitude. It grows on swampy soil that does not become flooded. It grows between 40-1,830 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in miombo woodland.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten raw. A juice drink is made by squeezing the fruit in water.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from fresh seeds.
In Tanzania fruit are collected from November to December. The fruit are sometimes buried for a few days to ripen.
Its other names
Local names
Cagigoura, Kasokolowe, Mgombo, Mngambu, Msalinja, Msanyinja, Msechela mtoto, Mselechera, Msuku mpinini, Mtalala, Mucunapa, Mutaendgedze, Mutongoso, Sokolobwe, Tsangidze