Two-winged stink-bush
Pteleopsis myrtifolia

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 20 m tall but has a drooping habit. The bark is smooth and grey and has a net like appearance. The leaves are opposite and simple. They are 1-10 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The are narrowly oval and taper to the ends. The edges are entire and may be wavy. The flowering shoots are 4.5 cm long and in the axils of leaves. The fruit are narrowly oval and have 2 or 3 wings. The fruit are 1-2.5 cm long by 0.5-1.7 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,600 m above sea level. It grows along the East Coast in Southern Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The sap is mostly used as medicine. The leaves are recorded as being cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Juice, fruit, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds. It is best to soak the seeds overnight and discard any that float.

Its other names

Local names

Amuyadi, Fendaluzi, Mgoji, Mlakwenzi, Moleua, Muandja, Mufundalabalo, Muleva, Murrepa, Musikanyemba, Musunganyemba, Mwanda, Ngolozi, N'wandla, Sunganhemba, Umsunganyama, Umwandla

Synonyms

Combretum myrtifolium M. A. Lawson;