Scolopia rhamniphylla

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 12 m tall and is branched. The bark is pale brown to grey. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaves are small and wedge shaped at the base and tapering to the tip. There are teeth along the edge. They are slightly hairy on the veins. The fruit is a flattened fleshy berry. It is 7 mm across.

Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows near rivers and in mountain forests. In Tanzania it grows between 1,000-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw as a snack.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

The ripe fruit are collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Mgola, Mgovigovi, Omukanaga

Synonyms

Scolopia guerkeana Volk. ex Gilg.;