Red milkwood, Beach sapote
Mimusops obovata

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It can grow to 19 m tall. The trunk can be 60 cm across. The leaves are alternate. They are 2.5-7 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. They are oval and taper to the base. The mature leaves are dark green and shiny above and lighter underneath. The flowers are white and have a smell. They are on slightly curved red-brown stalks. They can be single or in 2's in the axils of leaves. The fruit are oval and narrow to a point. They are 2.5-5 cm long. They are bright orange and shiny when ripe. They have one or more black seeds. The pulp is orange and mealy in texture. The fruit are edible.

There are 55 Mimusops species.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It can grow near the coast on dunes but also in open inland forest. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are pleasant tasting. They are used to make jellies and wine.

Edible parts

Seeds ?, fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

A fruit weighs about 1.2 g.

Its other names

Local names

Mphushane, Umphaskane, Umpushana

Synonyms

Mimusops oleifolia N.E. Br.; Mimusops woodii Engl.; Mimusops rudatisii Engl. & Krause;