Sandpaper bush, Stamperwood
Ehretia amoena

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 3-4 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. It has ashy white smooth branches. The bark is whitish or light grey. The leaves are oval and up to 6-11 cm long by 8 cm wide. They are blunt and with coarse teeth at the tip. They are dark green and rough on top and hairy below. The flowers are small and white. They have a smell. They occur on loose clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit are small and round and are green but turn orange when ripe. The fruit are 5-7 mm across. The fruit are edible.

There are about 50 Ehretia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs at medium to low altitudes often in hot areas. They are along the banks of watercourses and in sand forests near the coast. It can be on termite mounds. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,150 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a snack.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bungela, Chivhunabadza, Libhungela, Munakanezuva, Namulavitavi, Pouana, Quaquacho, Stamperhout, Umklele

Synonyms

Ehretia coerulea Gurke; Ehretia mossambicensis Klotszch; Ehretia stuhlmannii Gurke;