Vein-leaved bush-cherry, Sausage-bean bush-cherry
Maerua nervosa

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3 m tall. The leaves have 3 leaflets and these are 6 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. They are thinly textured and shiny on both surfaces. The flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The petals are small and there are 10-20 stamens up to 2 cm long. The fruit are oval and 3.5 cm long by 2 cm wide. They are shiny and reddish-yellow.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It can grow in salty and dry soils. It can grow in arid places. In Zimbabwe it grows up to about 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Matandana, Tiendaba

Synonyms

Maerua floribunda Sim; Niebuhria nervosa Hochst.;