Rawsonia, Forest peach
Rawsonia lucida

Family: Achariaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-5 m high. It can grow 15 m tall. The bark is brown and smooth. The branches spread out and are inclined to droop. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are oblong. They are 7-16 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The leaves are leathery and a glossy vivid green. They are paler and more dull underneath. The edges of the leaves have spiny teeth which point forward. The leaf stalk is 1.2 cm long. The flowers are creamy-white and 1.5-2 cm across. They occur either singly or as a few flowers together. They are 1-2 cm long. The fruit is a fleshy berry-like capsule. It is yellow to brown. It is 4 cm across. It dries out and splits open into 5 valves. There are several seeds.

There are 2 Rawsonia species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs as an understorey tree in evergreen forest. It grows between 50-1,900 m above sea level. It grows in the lowlands but also the highlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ikokodate, Inanga, Mpera mwitu, Muchekamanu, Munaba, Nyazongororo, Sehlulamanye

Synonyms

Oncoba spinidens Hiern,; Rawsonia schlechteri Gilg.; Rawsonia transjubensis Chiov.; Rawsonia ugandensis Dawe & Sprague; Rawsonia usambarensis Engl. & Gilg.; Rawsonia reticulata Gilg.;