Spurred phyllanthus
Phyllanthus engleri
Family: Phyllanthaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 4.5 m tall. The trunk is 15 cm across. The branches are long and covered with prickles. The leaves are alternate and in 2 rows. The leaf blade is narrowly oval and 2-3 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The flowers are in groups or about 4 in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white and male and female flowers are separate. The fruit is a fleshy berry with 3 lobes. It can be 2-4 cm across. It is smooth and pale yellowish-green. It contains 6 seeds. The seeds are 3 sided and 1 cm long.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands. It grows in dry deciduous woodland. It grows in Miombo woodland. It is often on termite mounds and grows between 300-1,850 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten. They are acidic but are eaten young or mature. Caution: The roots are very poisonous.
Fruit are sold in markets.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seeds.
In Tanzania fruit are collected from April to August. Mature fruit can be stored in the shade for about 3 months.
Its other names
Local names
Bakwazi, Kamana, Mboromi, Mgogodi, Mgogondi, Mkingiligili, Msamayu, Mvingiligili, Ngogondi