Umtambo tree, Galla plum
Haplocoelum gallense

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree. The leaves are compound. There are several pairs of leaflets without teeth. They are often unequal sided and end with a pair of leaflets. The leaflets tend to be rounded and oblong. The leaves are borne at the ends of the small branches. The flowers are small and brown. They are in short dense clusters in the axils of leaves. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The fruit are red and round. They are 1.3-1.9 cm across. They are edible.

There are 8 Haplocoelum species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It occurs in dune forest and at low altitude in dry deciduous woodland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Umushami

Synonyms

Pistaciopsis gallensis Engl.;