Purple hook-berry, Large hook-berry
Artabotrys brachypetalus
Family: Annonaceae
What it is like
A woody climber. It can be a rambling bush or a small wide spreading tree. The young branches are covered with brown hairs. The leaves are oval and 2.5-11 cm long by 2.2-6.6 cm wide. The tips can be blunt, rounded or slightly pointed. It climbs by hooked flower stalks. The flowers are yellow. They occur singly on crooked woody stalks. The fruit has 1-14 segments clustered together. They are about 2.5 cm long and smooth. They look like black figs. They are purple-black and edible.
There are about 100 Artabotrys species. They are shrubby climbers in SE Asia.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in hot, dry low altitude areas. It occurs along streams. In grows between sea level and 1,140 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.
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 fruit can be eaten raw. They are also used for making an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Groot-haakbessie, Macosso, uMazwenda omnyama, Mudzidzi, Munnamutswu, Umzitsi