Turkey-berry, Raisin-fruited canthium
Canthium inerme

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It can grow 10 m high. The bark is dark grey and smooth. The branches are upright. They are waxy with wrinkles long their length and armed with spines. The leaves are oblong and 2.5-7.5 cm long by 1-3.8 cm wide. They have a thin texture. They are light green above and paler underneath. The edges are rolled under. The leaf stalk is 8-12 mm long. The flowers are very small and greenish. They have a slight scent. The flowers occur in many branched heads in the axils of leaves. These are 1.5-3 cm across. The fruit are oval and 1.3 cm long. They are dark brown when mature. They are slightly wrinkled.

There are about 200 Canthium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in patches in evergreen forest. It can also be in coastal dunes and in high altitude grassland among rocks. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 2,150 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The bark, fruit and seeds are all eaten as snacks.

The fruit are edible but have little taste. They are eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, bark

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bokdrolbessie, Gewone bokdrol, Mevane, Muvhibvelashdani, Tshwalala, Umnyushubele, Umvuthwamini

Synonyms

Canthium swynnertonii S. Moore; Canthium thunbergianum Cham. & Schltdl.; Canthium ventosum Kuntze; Lycioserissa capensis (Thunb.) Roem. & Schult.; Lycium inerme L.f.; Plectronia swynnertonii (S. Moore) Eyles; Serissa capensis Thunb.; Canthium ventosum auct. non Plectronia ventosa L;