Poison leaf
Dichapetalum cymosum

Family: Dichapetalaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 30 cm high. It has branched underground stems. It forms colonies. It loses its leaves during the year. The flowers are small and white. They are in clusters. They have a scent. The fruit are yellow and egg shaped. They have one large seed.

There are 124 Dichapetalum species. There are 86 species in tropical Africa.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid areas with a marked dry season. It grows in stony and sandy soils. In Namibia it grows on deep sands. It needs well-drained soils. It grows between 850-1980 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The fruit pulp is eaten. It has intoxicating effects. The young fruit are roasted. Caution: The seed is toxic. The skin is also probably poisonous. It is peeled 1 cm thick. The leaves are poisonous.

The fruit are eaten in large amounts by people of the Okavango.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aliko, Blaargif, Magen, Maya, Mkanzane, Mojao, Mubete, Ncusane, Umkuzane

Synonyms

Chailletia cymosa Hook.; Dichapetalum venenatum Engl. & Gilg.; Dichapetalum bullockii Hauman;