Pyrostria phyllanthoidea

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-6 m tall. The leaves only have short stalks. The leaves are oblong and 1-5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are rounded at the tip. The flowers are of one sex and have 4 parts. The male flowers are as 1-5 together and the female flowers occur singly. They are white or yellow. The fruit is heart shaped and edible. It is 7-10 mm long by 9-11 mm wide. It has 2 stones.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In the north of Somalia it grows between 940-1,710 m altitude and to 130 m in the south of Somalia. In Kenya it is recorded between sea level and 350 m and then between 800-1,900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tanzania

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ajarse, Atego, Ladhana, Mfudzo, Mtengeji, Natama, Olgogoltim, Qoodho-orgi, Tirro

Synonyms

Canthium bogosense (Martelli) Penzig; Canthium phyllanthoidea (Baill.) Bridson; Plectronia bogosensis Martelli; Rytigynia phyllanthoidea (Baill.) Bullock;