Red heart-fruit, Lesser heart-fruit, Small red-heart
Hymenocardia ulmoides

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 5 m tall. The bark is grey and striped. The leaves are oval and 2.5-3 cm long by 1.8 cm wide. Young leaves are red. Mature leaves are dark green. The midrib is red and hairy. The male and female flowers are separate on separate plants. Male flowers are very small and pinkish. They are in catkin like spikes about 10 mm long. The female flowers are green and single. They are like a small fruit and 6-7 mm long. They have a pair of long red styles.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows at low altitude in mixed woodland. It grows along rivers often amongst rocks. It can grow along rocky shores. It can grow in arid places. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 800 m above sea level. In Congo it grows up to 1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, East Africa, Eswatini, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten cooked as a leafy vegetable, and flavouring. The leaves are also used as a substitute tea drink.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bokelele, Itatalatani, Musanga, Nacuva, Nkacalca, Nrepa, Okele, Okelia, Rooihartboom, Tshixeuxeu, Yonga

Synonyms

Hymenocardia capensis Hutch.;