Poison pavetta
Pavetta schumanniana
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-5 m tall. The young branches are hairy. The leaves are in pairs. They are at the ends of branches. The leaf blade is 6-20 cm long by 2-8 cm wide. They are broadly sword shaped. They have a grey covering underneath. The flower cluster is at the ends of branches or on very short side branches. The fruit are black and 5-7 mm across. They are shiny. The seeds are dark grey and 5 mm wide. The plant varies.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in mixed woodland and grassland. It is often on rocky hillsides and on termite mounds. It grows between 350-1,825 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
Caution: The leaves are poisonous. The leaves are chewed for their moisture.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves - moisture, caution
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Chifukawi, Chinama, Chipindura chiduku, Citapa-tapa, Kabwiye, Kitapatapa, Mufuramhembwe, Murabagaka, Musauti, Mutemwa, Muwana, Mwenje, Poison brides-bush, Tshituku, Umbodzani, Urukoyokoyo