Zimbabwe porcupine bush
Pyrostria bibracteata

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub or small tree. It grows 2-10 m tall. The bark is smooth and pale grey. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are broadly oval and 13.5 cm long. They are stiff and somewhat leathery. The flowers are in groups of 30. They are yellow or cream and small. The fruit are yellow and 5-8 mm across. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on woodland and usually where there is a high water-table. It grows from sea level to 700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit can be eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

In Tanzania fruit are collected from April to June.

Its other names

Local names

Mbunisigo, Mfupapo, Mfupapu, Mkonge, Mpwizopwizo, Mshizo, Mufudzo, Mumahe

Synonyms

Canthium bibracteatum (Bak.) Hiern.; Plectronia bibracteata Baker;