Umtulu tree
Vangueria lasiantha

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A large shrub or slender tree. It grows 3-6 m tall. It sometimes has branched spines. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are 2.5-10 cm long. They are broadly sword shaped. The often taper from the middle top the tip. The leaves are dark green and glossy on top and paler and duller underneath. The leaf stalks are 1.3 cm long. The flowers are in clusters. They are on slender stalks at the nodes. They are yellowish-green and become pale orange. The fruit are 2.5-5 cm across. They are rounded but often lopsided. They are slightly marked into sections. They are shiny green and soft. They are edible.

Probably all Lagynius species have edible fruit. Palmer & Pitman 1972

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in sand forests. It grows on the edges of evergreen forest and in open woodland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They are pleasant tasting.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ndamdambila, Shimpezuane

Synonyms

Canthium discolor Baill.; Cuviera australis K. Schum.; Lagynias discolor E. Mey.; Lagynias lasiantha (Sond.) Bullock; Pachystigma lasianthum Sond.; Vangueria lasiantha (Sond.) Sond.;