Rock alder
Afrocanthium mundianum

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 3-8 m high. The main stem is straight. There are often a group of small slender stems. The leaves are opposite or in clusters on small side shoots. The leaves are thin and 2-7 cm long by 1-6 cm wide. They are light green. There are tufts of hairs near the veins underneath. The flowers are small and greenish-white. They have a slight scent. The flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit is oblong and unequal in shape. They are 7-10 mm long and have 1-2 lobes. They are black when ripe.

There are about 200 Canthium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1500 m altitude in South Africa. They grow in evergreen forest and in mountain grassland. It grows on rocky mountain hillsides and in forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh. They have the flavour of wild medlar.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Klipels, Mutomboti, Sivilwane, Siluwane, Umphatsankhosi, Wild coffee

Synonyms

Plectronia mundtiana Pappe; Canthium gilfillanii (N. E. Brown) O. B. Miller;