Englerophytum magalismontanum

(Sond.) T. D. Penn.

Milk plum, Stem-fruit

Sapotaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 2,548 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Englerophytum magalismontanum, commonly known as stamvrug, is an evergreen tree that mostly grows in rocky places. It has an extensive range, from northern KwaZulu-Natal northwards along the east coast and into the southern African interior, and northwards into tropical Africa.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It can grow to 15 m tall. It can occasionally grow up to 33 m. Often the roots are twisted around a rock. It has a leafy rounded crown. The trunk is thin and has flutes along it. The stem is mostly short and thick and the branches can touch the ground. Often the trunk has wart like growths. The bark is grey and rough. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are often crowded towards the ends of branches. The leaves are firm and leathery. The leaves are oval and dark green and shiny on top but brown and hairy underneath. The young shoots and twigs have dense rusty hairs. The upper leaf surface often has a bloom. The under surface of the leaves has silver or red hairs. The leaves are 5-10 cm long but can be 30 cm long. The leaf stalks are 0.6-2.5 cm long. Flowers are fruit are produced on old wood. The flowers buds occur in clusters often on knobs on the branches and trunk. The fruit are 2.5 cm long. They are bright red when ripe. There is a small point at the end. The fruit have a leathery skin and 2 stones inside. The flesh is purple and they have a sticky latex. The seeds are oval and 1.7 x 1.4 cm.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw, dried, or harvested when either immature or fully ripe. They are also used to make beer, wine, and jams. The fruit are particularly popular among children and are notable for containing 40 mg of vitamin C per 100 g.

Traditional Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw. They can be dried. The fruit can be eaten when immature or when ripe. They are also used for beer, wine and jams.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

A decoction of the root is used to treat abdominal pain. The powdered roots are rubbed into incisions made in the skin over affected areas to treat rheumatism and headaches. An infusion of finely powdered roots and fruits has been used to cure epilepsy.

Known Hazards

The fruit contain sticky latex.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It occurs near quartzite and granite rocks. It can grow in the lowlands and up to 1800 m in South Africa. They mostly grow in coastal areas in deciduous woodland. They are somewhat drought resistant and can tolerate frost. They grow on a range of soils. They do best on dry well drained soils. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa*, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eswatini, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

They can be grown from seed or cuttings. Fresh seed germinate quickly. Cuttings from old wood can be used. Fruit are ready to harvest 4-5 months after flowering.

Propagation

Seed - best sown while the seed is still fresh. The germination period is about 37 days and plants are big enough to transplant two months later. Cuttings.

Other Uses

The wood is hard and heavy. It is used for building poles, tool handles and spoons. The wood is used for fuel. A hardy and fast-growing species suitable for agroforestry. It could prove useful, for example, in land reclamation, erosion control, and especially wind erosion reduction.

Production

Trees grow fairly quickly. In Tanzania fruit are collected from April to June.

Other Information

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Notes

The fruit are high in Vit C with 40 mg per 100 g.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	74.3	404	97	0.9	—	13.1	0.8	0.3

Synonyms

Bequaertionddron magalismontanum (Sond.) Heine et J. H. HemsleyChrysophyllum magalismontanum Sond.Chrysophyllum argyrophyllum Hiern.Chrysophyllum wilmsii Engl.Sideroxylon randii S. MooreZeyherella magalismontana (Sond.) Aubrev & Pellegr.Pouteria magalismontana (Sond.) A. MeeuseChrysophyllum laurentii

Also Known As

Manumbela, M'suassua, Mebundi, Mohlatswa, Mothazwa, Motlhatjwa wa tilhaga, Mumbuti, Munombelo, Musambya, Musongosongo, Musozwa, Nhembedwa, Nombela, Nufu-nufu, Red milkwood, Sambiambia, Stamvrug, Stemberry, Transvaal milkplum, Umbovanhlath, Umnumbela, Wild plum

References (39)

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