Thorn pear
Scolopia zeyheri

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

A spiny shrub or small tree. It can grow to 7 m tall. The bark is light grey and smooth. It becomes dark with age and rough and peeling in flakes. There are usually spines on the small branches. The leaves vary in shape. The can be sword shaped or round. They are 2-8 cm long by 1-3.5 cm wide. The are leathery and dark green above but paler underneath. The flowers are small and white or yellow. The fruit is almost round and a berry. It has a style at the tip. It is about 5-10 mm across.

Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 2,400 m altitude in South Africa. It is on the edge of evergreen forest and in open woodland. It grows in rocky and sandy soil. It is often on termite mounds. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are fleshy and eaten raw. They are sweet.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Fruit are collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Doringrooipeer, Kikongoo, Litungu, Mgogola, Mgola, Msona, Mtwampara, Mtwi-wa-mpaa, Muvhambanguvho, Mywampara, N'tudza, Xitsango

Synonyms

Scolopia ecklonii (Nees) Harvey; Scolopia gerrardii Harvey; Scolopia rigida R. E. Fries; Scolopia thorncroftii Phillips; Scolopia stuhlannii Warb. & Gilg.;