South African pomegranate
Burchellia bubalina

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows about 3 m high. It has a few hairs. The leaves are opposite and leathery. The leaf blade is oval and blunt. It narrows to the base. The base can sometimes be slightly heart shaped. The leaves are 15 cm long by 6 cm wide. The flowers are in a cluster at the ends of the branches. The flowers are tube shaped and orange-red. The fruit is fleshy with many seeds. The fruit are 1.5 cm across.

There is only one Burchellia species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It needs a well-drained soil and an open sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. In Swaziland it grows in the high veld only. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, East Africa, Eswatini, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tasmania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The flowers are sucked for their rich nectar.

Edible parts

Nectar, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Buffalo horn, Burchellia, Umfincafincane, Umfincane, Wild pomegranate

Synonyms

Burchellia capensis R. Br.; Burchellia kraussii Hochst.; Burchellia major Heynh.; Burchellia parviflora Lindl.; Burchellia speciosa Heynh.; Canephora capitata Willd.; Cephaelis bubalina (L.f.) Pers.; Genipa capensis (R. Br.) Baill.; Lonicera bubalina L.f.;