Small sour plum, Blue sourplum
Ximenia americana var. microphylla

Family: Olacaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 4 m tall. It has straight, slender spines. The bark is dark brown with small square scales. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are somewhat fleshy and folded along the midrib. The flowers occur as 2 or more in a group in the axils of the leaves. The fruit are oval and fleshy and yellow to red when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tropical America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They can be used for jams or jelly. The fruit are dried and added to cereal porridges. The seed from the kernel is edible.

Edible parts

Fruit, seed - oil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Amatinduluka, Holotshani, Kleinsurrpruim, Kolotshani, Moretologana, Morotologa, Morotonoha, Musomvwa, Mutanzwa, Ukolotshane, Umthundaluka, Umtunduluka

Synonyms

Ximenia rogersii Burtt Davy;