Wild grape
Lannea edulis

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A low shrub. It has a large woody rootstock. The stems are 3-30 cm high. The leaves arise from ground level. The leaves are 30 cm long. The leaves have 5-7 leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are densely hairy. The flowers are small and yellow. They are in short groups at ground level. The fruit are small and red and in clusters. They are 9-11 mm long by 8-9 mm wide.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in humid areas but not on wet soils. In Kenya it grows between 900-1,200 m altitude. It grows in wooded grassland areas that are frequently burnt. It can grow in arid places. In Zimbabwe it grows in areas with a rainfall between 850-950 mm per year.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They can also be dried. They can be used for jams and jelly. The root of the young plant is eaten as a vegetable.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ayuja, Bukukute, Imbatabata, Intakubomvu, Mdyakamba, Mophoti, Mutsambatsi, Tsambatsi, Ufukulu

Synonyms

Lannea ambacensis sensu R. E. Fr.; Lannea edulis var. integrifolia Engl.; Odina edulis Sond.; Lannea velutina Auct.;