Feretia aeruginescens

Stapf & Hutch.

Red-leaved medlar

Rubiaceae Edible: Fruit 32 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A straggling shrub. It grows 2-9 m tall. The young branches are hairy. The bark is thin and red and flakes off. The leaves are on new stems and branches. They are 3-14 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flowers are on reduced spurs on older stems. They usually occur in pairs. The fruit is about 2 cm across and bright red. The seeds are 6-8 mm across and flattened.

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten, though it is notably astringent.

Traditional Uses

The fruit is very astringent.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland and often near rivers or anthills. It grows between 230-1,060 m altitude.

Where It Grows

Africa, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	64	381	91	5	—	—	—	—

Synonyms

Feretia apodanthera var. australis K. Schum.Sericanthe andongensis var. mollis sensu Robbrecht pro parte

Also Known As

Caiabussa, Kalume-kakaonga, Kaonga, Munuyansankula, Nangisya, Pink medlar, Tsacama

References (8)

Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 56
Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 72
Malaisse, F., 1997, Se nourrir en floret claire africaine. Approche ecologique et nutritionnelle. CTA., p 63
Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 170
Pickering, H., & Roe, E., 2009, Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area. Helen Pickering, London. p 102

Show all 8 references