Sand apple, Dwarf mabolo
Parinari capensis

Family: Chrysobalanaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It has underground stems. These are woody and up to 1 cm thick. This forms a branching network. Aerial stems arise from these. These can be 20 cm high. There are a few erect leaves. The leaf blade is sword shaped and 8 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. The lower surface has a white felt. The flowers are in loose clusters. They are cream coloured. The fruit is oval and fleshy. They are 1.8 cm long and have one seed. The fruit has a strong smell.

There are about 50 Parinari species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows amongst rocks and in sand and clay soils. It can be in seasonally flooded grassland. It grows between 900-1,200 m above sea level. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,200-1,600 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in poor savannah soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The sweet outer layer of the fruit is eaten. It is buried in the sand to become ready to eat. It can be dried and eaten as a soft cake. It is also used to make beer. Juice of the fruit can be drunk fresh or boiled to a firm consistency. The crushed kernels are eaten as a relish with meat.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit, drink

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. The ripe fruit are buried and the flesh allowed to rot,. Then the seed is put in boiling water that is then allowed to cool and soak for 12 hours. Root suckers can also be used.

Its other names

Local names

Axani, Ekokofi, Hachapasi, Ikia, Imvimbandhlebe, Isagogwane, Isitshapasi, Itchwakudi, Kapundubusushi, Mbola-oa-fase, Mmola, Mmolofasane, Molahatsia, Mubulu, Muchakatapasi, Muchkatapasi, Muhachapasi, Muhacha kwa pasi, Ncha, Nonsani, Nsansi, Nsudi nfuni, Ntadapalivu, Omukokofi, Sagogwane, Salaki, Salakia, Salakakizu, Shashi, Tamelassoli, Tshivhulafhasi, Tshivhulana, Umbula, Umkhuna, Umvalandhlebe

Synonyms

Ferolia capensis (Harv.) Kuntze; Parinari capensis var. latifolia Oliv.; Parinari capensis subsp. latifolia (Oliv.) R. A. Graham; Parinari curatellifolia var. fruticulosa Mildbr.; Parinari latifolia (Oliv.) Exell; Parinari pumila Mildbr.;