Tristemma mauritianum

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A herb or small shrub. It grows 2 m tall. The stems are thick and square. They are covered with bristles. The leaf stalks are 1-4 cm long. The leaves are opposite and 5-15 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. They are hairy. The flower petals are 6-10 mm long. They are white. The fruit are 10 mm long by 6 mm wide. Fruit contain soft white sections. The seeds are in a white pulp. The seeds are small and 0.6 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in damp places. In Queensland Australia it grows from sea level to 550 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Senegal, Sudan, Uganda

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The seeds are also eaten.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Fruiting occurs throughout the year. The young leaves and fruit are plucked off the plant.

Its other names

Local names

Akasiolea, Bosolia, Ekba, Etele, Gashgano, Limbodidi, Lituma lilokonda, Oburo bw'enkombe, Okama, Tonga-tondjo, Voatrotroka

Synonyms

Tristemma grandifolium var. congolanum De Wild.; Tristemma virusanum Comm. ex A. Juss.; and others