Zulu milkberry
Manilkara concolor

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tree with a pear shape. It can grow to 22 m tall. The trunk can be 1.2 m across. In drier places it is lower and more spreading. The leaves are crowded towards the ends of branches. They are oblong and usually slightly wider in the upper section. The base is narrowed. Leaves are 1.3-5 cm long and 0.6-1.9 cm wide. They are smooth and leathery. Often they are dull green with a yellow midrib. The flowers are small and yellow. They occur in bunches in the axils of leaves. They tend to droop downwards. The fruit are round berries. They are 1.9 cm long and red when ripe. There are 1-2 shiny brown seeds inside. The fruit are edible and sweet.

There are about 75 Manilkara species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in coastal forest and sandstone country. It grows in low altitude forest. It often grows on termite mounds. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw and fresh. They are also used to make fermented drink.

The fruit are valued.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In South Africa, fruit are available January to March.

Its other names

Local names

Amasetole, Ihambo, Manematfole, Mncwambi, Muambo, Sifomamasi, Timumbo

Synonyms

Mimusops concolor Harvey ex C. W. Wright;