Natal hard pear, Natal olinia
Olinia radiata
Family: Penaeaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It can be 21 m tall and the trunk 3.6 m around. The bark is dark purplish red. It flakes off. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are smooth, dark green and shiny. They are 5-9 cm long by 1.3-4 cm wide. They are oval. The edges of the leaves are often wavy. The young branches are 4 angled and red. The flowers are small and white with a tinge of purple. The occur in small bunches in the axils of leaves. The fruit are round and 1.8 cm across. They are reddish-purple or orange-brown when ripe.
There are 5 Olinia species. They grow in Africa. Also put in the family Oliniaceae. There is only one genus in the family Oliniaceae.
Where it is found
It grows in evergreen forest.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa
How it is used for food
The fruit are occasionally eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit