Rytigynia celastroides

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It can grow 7.5 m tall. It is densely branched. They bark is brown or whitish-grey. Young branches can be slightly hairy The branches are often in rings of three. The leaves are on pairs or rings of three. They are narrowly oval and 2-6 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They are wedge shaped or rounded at the base. The flowering shoots have 2-4 flowers. The fruit are black and a flattened round shape. They are about 1 cm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can occur from sea level to 1,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania

How it is used for food

Edible parts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Emeni, Kimeni, Kurbubit, Mtsokola wongo, Nemenio

Synonyms

Canthium celastroides Baill.; Plectronia amaniensis K. Krause; Rytigynia glabra (K. Schum.) Robyns; and several others