Vangueria madagascariensis

Vangueria madagascariensis, commonly known by the names Spanish-tamarind, tamarind-of-the-Indies, or voa vanga, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae native to the African continent having edible fruit. It is the type species of the genus Vangueria and was described in 1791 by Johann Friedrich Gmelin.

Description

A deciduous tree. It often has several stems. It can grow to 15 m high. The bark is pale grey and fairly smooth. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are pale green and attractive. They are oval and 8-20 cm long by 12 cm wide and rounded at the base. They are shiny and limp. Leaf stalks are up to 1 cm long. There are leaf stipules on the young shoots. The flowers are greenish white in clusters in the axils of leaves. These are 8 cm long. The flowers are yellow green and 8 mm long. They are small and few. The petals are pale green. Fruit are round, smooth and green with white dots. They are about 4-5 cm across. Often fruit are in bunches of 5-6. Fruit contain 4 or more seeds. The seeds are 1-2 cm long. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

Ripe fruit can be eaten raw or stewed; unripe fruit have an apple-like texture, while very ripe shrivelled fruit taste like tamarind. The fruit are especially popular with children and are sold in African markets.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw or stewed. Unripe fruit have a texture like an apple and very ripe shrivelled fruit taste like tamarind. The fruit are especially enjoyed by children.

Medicinal Uses

The fruit are rich in Vitamin C.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands. They suit a range of soil types. They have good drought tolerance. It grows in scrub and on the edges of forests. The grow naturally in dry forest edges. They grow from sea level to 2,130 m altitude. It grows in areas with rainfall from 600 to 1200 mm annually. Temperatures are in the range 17°C to 29°C. The plant needs to be in an open sunny position. It can re-grow after fire. It cannot tolerate frost.

Where It Grows

Africa*, Angola, Asia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, China, Congo R, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Guinea, Guinée, Haiti, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar*, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Marquesas, Martinique, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pacific, Puerto Rico, Reunion, SE Asia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

They can be grown from seed or cuttings. Seed can be sown direct or in pots then transplanted. Soaking seed in cold water overnight may help germination. Trees can be cut back and re-grow.

Propagation

Seed germination is difficult owing to the hard seed coat. Nicking the seed or soaking it in cold water overnight may hasten germination. Untreated seed germinates well but sporadically, taking up to 6 weeks. Seed can retain its viability for a year if dried properly. There are 500-600 seeds/kg.

Other Uses

The wood is suitable for building construction, tool handles and carving. It is popular as a source of both firewood and charcoal.

Production

Trees grow rapidly. Because the fruit persist on the tree fruit need to be picked. Plants flower between October and January. It takes about 6-8 months from flower fertilisation to fruit ripening.

Other Information

Fruit are sold in markets in Africa. The fruit are eaten especially by children. The fruit are popular. It is a cultivated food plant.

Notes

The fruit are rich in Vitamin C.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bergel, Bururi, Dimbliksha, Engumi, Erakwtu, Gara, Ikormosiyoi, Kamolwet, Kanoy, Katkara tenga, Kikomoa, Kikomua, Kirkir, Knoy, Komol, Komolwo, Loshoro, Mdaria, Mesho, Moyen, Msada, Msambalawe, Mubiru, Mudhukanta, Muhilu, Mukomoa, Mulande-nu-kue, Mviru, Ngoromosui, Odeyo, Ol-gumei, Surangaro, Tamarind of the Indies, Tamarindo, Voa-vanga

References (61)

• Addis, G., Asfaw, Z & Woldu, Z., 2013, Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants of Konso Ethnic Community, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 11:121-141
• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 4240 (As Vangueria edulis)
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 668
• Asfaw, Z. and Tadesse, M., 2001, Prospects for Sustainable Use and Development of Wild Food Plants in Ethiopia. Economic Botany, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 47-62
• Ballal, M. E., et al, 2014, Ethno-botany of Natural Forests of Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan State, Sudan. Journal of Forest Poducts & Industries. 3(1):13-19

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