Vangueria infausta

Vangueria infausta, the medlar or African medlar, is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae, which is native to the southern and eastern Afrotropics. Some other names for V. infausta in Southern African languages include Mpfilwa in Tsonga, ngayi in Tonga, mmilo in Northern Sotho, muzwilu in Venḓa, umviyo in Southern Ndebele, mothwani in Tswana and umtulwa in Zulu. The fruits are consumed by humans and have a pleasant apple-like flavor. The specific name infausta alludes to a superstition that an evil spirit lives within the tree and the misfortune from its use as firewood which is said to 'unlock' the evil spirit from the wood. Many indigenous african names for V. infausta come from the Prot-Bantu mìdìdò (plural "fires").

Description

A shrub or small deciduous tree. It grows to 3 or 4.5 m tall. It can be 7 m tall. It has a smooth grey trunk. The bark becomes rough with age. The branches are short and stout. They are soft and covered with red hair when young. The leaves are light green and leathery. The leaves are 5-30 cm long and 3.8-18 cm wide. They are often egg-shaped. The tips can be round or blunt and they are densely hairy. The veins are like nets. The flowers are greenish-white or yellow. They are small. They grow in clusters. The fruit are round and 3.8 cm across. They have a shallow crown on top and are covered with a light brown leathery skin. They have 3 seeds inside. Each seed is in a separate compartment.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit is eaten raw, offering a soft, fleshy pulp with an acid, sweetish-sour flavour. The brown pulp surrounding the seeds tastes somewhat like stewed dried apple rings. Sometimes the pulp is soaked in water and then dried for later use. Fruit ranges from 15–47mm in diameter and ripens from green to a dull orange-brown or purplish colour. The seeds can also be eaten raw or made into a relish.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The fruit can be used to make a sauce or a pudding. When sugar is added, the fruit looks and tastes like apple sauce. The fruit can be dried and stored. It is later soaked and cooked. The seeds are cracked and the kernels extracted and eaten. They are roasted. They are also used as flavouring. The leaves are cooked as a green vegetable.

Medicinal Uses

The root is anthelmintic, antidote, and purgative, and is a popular remedy for snakebite. It is also used to treat malaria, pneumonia, coughs, and other chest complaints. In Namibia, a warm decoction of the roots is considered an effective remedy for heart ailments. The leaves are applied externally to treat swellings on the legs, inflammation of the navel in children, abdominal pain, and dental pain.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and the highlands. It grows on stony and sandy ground. It grows in shady places. It can tolerate frost. It can tolerate drought. It grows between 10-3,333 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

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

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds. The fruit are allowed to dry and then soaked in water before planting. Using fertiliser, manure or early irrigation reduces the survival and earl growth of young plants. They are adapted to low fertility and seasonal rainfall.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe and can be stored for up to 12 months if properly dried. The plant can also be propagated from cuttings.

Other Uses

The wood is used for house poles, tool handles, and agricultural implements. It is considered good fuel in some areas, though in others it is said to bring bad luck if burned.

Production

It grows quickly. Fruit are edible January to April.

Other Information

It is a valuable fruit. It is a commonly used fruit in Mozambique. Fruit are sold in local markets.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Amantulwane, Baraghumo, Bombo, Imadnulu, Imiviyo, Infahlo, Ingumi, Ivili, Iviyo, Kikomoa, Kimoluet, Kimolwet, Leyambaso, Mabelo, Mabilo, Mafila, Mamuemuita, Mapendo, Mbilima, Mfukutu, Mispel, Mkangandembo, Mmilo, Moelwa, Moplo, Mothwanye, Movilo, Mpfilwa, Mpulukututu, Msada, Msambarawe, Msilu, Mudzvirungombe, Muiru, Mukarakassa, Mukumoa, Mulada, Mungolomya, Munzwiru, Muteleli, Mutufu, Mutululo, Muziru, Muzuza, Muzwilo, Muzwiro, Mvilu, Mviru, Mzilu, Ndigiti, Ndowiro, Nombumbu, Nuiri, Nwene, Ol-gumi, Omuya, Santukwan, Titipe, Umbizo, Umfilwa, Umtofu, Umtulwa, Umvile, Umviyo, Vinanana

References (66)

• Akinnifesi F. K., et al, 2008, Early growth and survival of three miombo woodland fruit tree species under fertilizer, manure and dry-season irrigation in southern Malawi. Forest Ecology and Management 255:546-557
• Aparicio, H., et al, 2021, Ethnobotanical study of medicinal and edible plants used in Nhamacoa area, Manica province
  -Mozambique. South African Journal of Botany 139 (2021) 318
  -328
• Bruschi, P., et al, 2014, Traditional use of plants in a rural community of Mozambique and possible links with Miombo degradation and harvesting sustainability. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2014, 10:59
• Campbell, B. M., 1987, The Use of Wild Fruits in Zimbabwe. Economic Botany 41(3): 375-385
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 213

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