Vangueria randii
S. Moore
Ant-heap wild medlar
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) magdastlucia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Bart Wursten, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Bart Wursten
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) magdastlucia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A shrub or small tree. It grows to 7 m tall. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are oval and 9 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. They are of thin texture and dark green above but paler underneath. The flowers are pale yellow and 10 mm across. They occur in dense heads in the axils of leaves. The fruit are almost round and 2.5 cm across. They are yellowish-green when mature.
Edible Uses
The fruit is edible.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It occurs in open woodland and along river banks. It grows between 1,050-1,890 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
References (4)
- Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 58
- Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 328
- Palgrave, K.C., 1996, Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers. p 873
- Tredgold, M.H., 1986, Food Plants of Zimbabwe. Mambo Press. p 133
