Natal plum
Ximenia caffra var. natalensis
Family: Olacaceae
What it is like
The tree is like var. caffra except that the leaves become smooth with age. It grows 6 m high. The leaves are smaller and so are the fruit.
There are about 10 Ximenia species. They are tropical.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows between 35-2,895 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw and also used for desserts. The fruit can be bitter but are more sweet in the rainy season.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Imunguchi, M'pindjipindgi, Tunduluca