Small false gardenia
Heinsia crinita

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 6 m high. The bark is grey to light brown and mottled. It is smooth. The leaves are opposite and simple. They are oval and 2-8 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They are light green. There are some harsh hairs on top and soft velvety hairs underneath. The leaves taper to both ends. The flowers are white and 3-4 cm across. The flower tube it 3 cm long with spreading lobes. Flowers can be single or a few in a group either in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is oval and 10 mm long. They are orange when mature. At the top there is the leaf-like remains of the calyx.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs at low altitudes along the edges of forest in river valleys. It is mostly on sandy soils. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, Congo R, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Kenya, Libya, Mozambique, Nigeria, North Africa, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves can be dried and stored. They are eaten in soup. They can be high in oxalates. The fruit are eaten as a snack.

The leaves are popular.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from stem cuttings. It can also be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Atama, Bastard gardenia, Bush apple, Evem, Jasmine gardenia, Kibwa, Kinkete, Nsiamuna Twitita

Synonyms

Heinsia pulchella sensu K. Schum.; Gardenia crinita Afzel.;