Small-fruited olax
Olax dissitiflora
Family: Olacaceae
What it is like
A scrambling shrub or small tree. It grows 5-7 m tall. It has lax drooping branches. The bark is grey. The leaves are narrowly oval. They are 1.5-5 cm long by 0.5-2.5 cm wide. The flowers are white and small. They are 10 mm long. They occur either singly or in loose clusters. The flower stalks are longer and slender. The fruit are round or oval and 7-9 mm long. The become orange or red when ripe.
There are about 40 Olax species. They are tropical.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It occurs in dense bush and sometimes along the edge of streams. It occurs on low altitudes and hot areas.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten raw.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Chikwakwani, Kamasa, Msila,Mucuti, Mudowe, Mussiro, Myle mbonju, Tukuti