Shakama plum
Hexalobus monopetalus

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree which loses its leaves during the year. In tropical regions it grows 12 m tall. It is shorter in cooler regions. The young branches are covered with brown hairs. The leaves are oval and 4-10 cm long. They are carried one after the other on opposite sides of the stalk and have short stalks. The flower buds grow in the axils of leaves. These buds are fat, golden brown and velvety and remain after the leaves fall. These develop into pale yellow almost stalkless flowers. The flower petals are narrow and very crinkled. The fruit are 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. They are oblong with irregular bulges. They are scarlet with a netted appearance and have green veins. The flesh is dark red when ripe. They are juicy and edible.

Where it is found

It grows in tropical and warm places. It grows in the lowlands. It grows in low altitude bush and scrub. It is often on rocky hillsides. It grows in savannah places. It can grow in arid places. In Zimbabwe it grows between 870-1,360 m above sea level. In Tanzania it grows between 900-1,500 m above sea level and in areas with a rainfall between 750-1,300 mm. It can grow in a range of soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The have a pleasant flavour. They can be dried. They are also used for jam.

Fruit are eaten especially by children. It is fairly commonly used in West Africa. Fruit tend to be available in the drier more hungry season.

Edible parts

Fruit, nuts, seeds, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from fresh seed.

In Tanzania fruit are collected between January and April.

Its other names

Local names

Baboon’s breakfast, Bacure, Bohili, Boile, Boili, Canje, Kikundukundu, Kungumali, Mambumba, Mfiwi, Mfyuwi, Mkungu mwali, Mkungumwale, Mkuwa, Moheteka, Mosedika, Mowedika, Muhodzongwa, Mukorongwa, Mukundukundu, Mukwingiziri, Munyani, Mupodzongo, Muhuhuma, Musakama, Mushakame, Mwezi, Nshakama, Nxakama, Shakamapruim Tapirco, Tubulubum, Vougagne, Winsouin

Synonyms

Uvaria monopetala A. Rich.; Hexalobus glabrescens Hutch. & Dalz. ex Burtt Davy; Hexalobus senegalensis A. DC.;