Northern dwaba-berry, Monkey's fingers
Monanthotaxis obovata

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It tends to scramble. It can be a small tree up to 7 m high. It has spreading or drooping branches. The bark is dark grey. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are oval and 4.5-7.4 cm long by 2.5-7.5 cm wide. The tip is usually rounded and the base can be rounded or notched. They are papery and bluish-green above and paler underneath. There are usually hairs underneath. They are on short leaf stalks. The flowers usually occur singly above the leaf axil. There are leaf like bracts below the flower. Flowers contain both sexes. The petals are in two layers and the inner ones curl over the centre. They are cream. The fruit are 3-9 sausage like fruit in a string. The fruit hangs downwards. It is made up of 3-9 segments bunched together. They are 5 cm long and constricted between the seeds. These contain 1-3 seeds which are crimson when ripe. The seeds are edible. They are bright red. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands. It grows in open woodland and grassland on termite mounds and along streams. It grows in Miombo woodland. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 500-1,270 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Tanzania it grows between 400-1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. They have a tart taste. They can be stewed. They are also used for jams and jellies. They are also fermented into wine. The fruit can be dried and then later soaked in water before eating.

The fruit are enjoyed. The fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The plants can be grown from fresh seed. The hard seed coat needs to be cracked before planting.

In Tanzania fruit are collected from April to June.

Its other names

Local names

Bastard dwaba berry, Kanjengunjenga, Kombe, Kyangemuleya, Mchinga, Mechingia, Mfulafula, Milungalunga, Mkatamu, Monkey fingers, Msalasi, Muchinga, Mukondekonde, Munyani, Musalasi, Mushinga, Najako, Nayako, Nsalasi, Umkonzombo, Umkozombo

Synonyms

Friesodielsia obovata (Benth.) Verdc.; Popowia obovata (Benth.) Engl. & Diels; Popowia stormsii De Wild.; Unona obovata Benth.;