Purple cluster pear
Cleistochlamys kirkii

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It is often very branched and straggly. It grows 9 m tall. The bark is tough and light brown. The leaves are alternate. They are in 2 rows. They are simple and oblong. They are 6-11 cm long by 2-3.5 cm wide. They are bright shiny green above and paler underneath. They often have notches along the edge. The flowers are of both sexes. The flowers are creamy white and 1.2 cm across. There are reddish-brown bracts below the flower. The fruit have 10 separate carpels and are 2.5 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are purplish-black when ripe. They are succulent.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in bush and thickets in hot dry river valleys. It can grow in arid places. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. They are also used to make a drink.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Horombgwa, Muhodzongwa, Mukoronga, Mukorongwa, Munzinda, Mupodzongo, Nkalango

Synonyms

Popowia kirkii Benth.;