Quinine berry, Tree strawberry
Cephalanthus natalensis
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
It can be a shrub or climber or small tree. It is evergreen. The stem can be 20 cm across. The leaves are dark green and shiny. They are 1.3-3.8 cm long and egg shaped but often broadest below the middle. The have a blunt point with a long jutting tip. The edges of the leaves are often rolled inwards. The flowers are small and red or greenish-white. They form tubes. They are 2.5 cm across. They occur at the ends of twigs. The fruit are made up of many small fruitlets packed into a round head. They turn pink or red when ripe. They are edible.
There are 10 Cephalanthus species.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It often grows among rocks. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten fresh. They are bitter-sweet. They become more bitter with storage. They are also made into conserve. The flowers are eaten as a snack.
The fruit are gathered on large amounts.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Isamomfo, Mfomfo, Morodo, Morodwe, Motlholobu, Murondo, Musipwe, Mutsanda, Umfomamasi, Umfomfo, Umfomfu, Umfunfu, Umkhombe, Umufofo, Witpruim