Synaptolepis alternifolia

Family: Thymelaeaceae

What it is like

A shrub or woody climber. it can be 10 m tall. The branches are slender and without hairs. The bark is red-brown. The leaves can be alternate or opposite. They are narrow and oval. The leaves are 4.5 cm long. The tip is pointed and the base narrows to the stalk. The flowers are white or pale yellow. They are in flower heads at the ends of the plant. The fruit are yellow to orange. They are oval and 1-2 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows both in the lowlands and the highlands. In Tanzania it grows between sea level to 1,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The pulp of the ripe fruit is eaten raw as a snack. The seed is discarded.

Fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Fruit are collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Kiga-nungu, Kukuttjula, Kwavi, Maktu, Mbibikiu, Namulatina, Nzukumbi

Synonyms

Synaptolepis longiflora Gilg;