Rothmannia engleriana

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 2-8 m tall. The young branches can have hairs. The bark is cracked and reddish on older branches. The leaf blades are 10-30 cm long by 4-15 cm wide. They are oval. They are leathery. The flowers are in clusters and hang from the ends of the branches. There are 3-17 flowers in a group and they have a sweet scent. The flower petals are white with purple spots on the throat. The fruit is 2-5 cm long and round. They are rust coloured. The seeds are brown and 7 mm long by 5 mm wide and 1 mm thick.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and the highlands. It grows in dry woodland. It is often on rocky hills. It grows between 550-1,770 m altitude. In Tanzania it grows between 1,100-1,900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit pulp is juicy and edible. The hard outer case is broken to remove the soft pulp.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

In Tanzania ripe fruit are collected from July to September.

Its other names

Local names

Mkondokondo, Mkumba, Mpumba, Muharangundo, Mulambuda, Mupulu-mpumpi

Synonyms

Randia engleriana K. Schum.; Randia kuhniana F. Hoffm. & K. Schum.; Rothmannia engleriana var. ternifolia (Ficalho & Hiern) Somers & Robbr.; Rothmannia katentaniae De Wild.; Rothmannia kuhniana (F. Hoffm. & K. Schum.) Fagerl.; Rothmannia lacourtiana De Wild.; Rothmannia lemairei De Wild.; Rothmannia ternifolia Ficalho & Hiern;