Uvaria kirkii

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A shrub or scrambler. It can grow 8 m high. The leaves are broadly oval. The base is heart shaped or rounded. They are 3-12 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The flowers are cream or pale yellow. They occur singly. They are large. The plant flowers then dies. The fruit are 17-25 mm long by 8-11 mm wide. There are 5-8 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In East Africa it grows from sea level to 450 m above sea level. It grows near rivers. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Jamaica, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, West Indies

How it is used for food

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

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In Tanzania fruit are collected from April to June.

Its other names

Local names

Maofu, Mcho, Mchofu, Msofu, Nchofuo

Synonyms

Uvaria stuhlmanii Engl.;