White pear
Apodytes dimidiata

Family: Icacinaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It grows 7-10 m tall. It can grow 25 m high. Large trees have fluted trunks. The bark is smooth and grey. The leaves vary. They can be oval or oblong. They are 2-15 cm long by 2-8 cm wide. The flowers are in large groups at the ends of branches. The fruit is flattened and oblong. It is 8 mm long. They are black when ripe with a red attachment.

There are 2 Apodytes species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forest and grassy mountain slopes. It needs frost protection when young. In southern China it grows between 500-1,900 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Thailand, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves can be cooked and eaten. The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, bark, fruit

How it is grown

It is easily grown from seeds. Seeds can take 6 months to germinate. Seeds are sown 3-5 mm deep in a seedling tray.

Plants grow slowly for the first year.

Its other names

Local names

Doongiicho, Fotatrala, Manqeroo, Mukalasu-nguni, Munwa-mazi, Musvipa, Rotra, Tchomaate, Umdagane, Umdakana, Umdakane, Umdzagane, Umnqabaza, Umusiibyarugeendo

Synonyms

Apodytes stuhlmannii Engl.; Jobalboa aberdarica Chiov.;