Natal bush milkwood
Vitellariopsis marginata

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows 6 m high. The stem is 30 cm across. The branches are often held horizontally. The leaves are on short, thick, rigid small branches. They are broadly oval and 7-16 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. They taper to the base. They are dark green and shiny above and more pale underneath. The midrib is yellow. The flowers are white or cream and 1 cm long. They are in clusters of 2-4 flowers. These are in the axils of leaves at the ends of branches. The fruit are oval and have sepals around the base. They are green but ripen to red.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in densely wooded hillsides and in forested valleys.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Muiganago, Senenze, Umcandza

Synonyms

Austromimusops marginata (N. E. Br.) A. Meeuse; Mimusops marginata;