Rothmannia engleriana

(K. Schum.) Keay

Rubiaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves 49 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

A small tree. It grows 2-8 m tall. The young branches can have hairs. The bark is cracked and reddish on older branches. The leaf blades are 10-30 cm long by 4-15 cm wide. They are oval. They are leathery. The flowers are in clusters and hang from the ends of the branches. There are 3-17 flowers in a group and they have a sweet scent. The flower petals are white with purple spots on the throat. The fruit is 2-5 cm long and round. They are rust coloured. The seeds are brown and 7 mm long by 5 mm wide and 1 mm thick.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit pulp is juicy and edible; the hard outer case must be broken to access the soft pulp inside. The leaves are also edible.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit pulp is juicy and edible. The hard outer case is broken to remove the soft pulp.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and the highlands. It grows in dry woodland. It is often on rocky hills. It grows between 550-1,770 m altitude. In Tanzania it grows between 1,100-1,900 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Other Uses

The wood is used to make tool handles and spoons. The wood is used for fuel.

Production

In Tanzania ripe fruit are collected from July to September.

Other Information

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Synonyms

Randia engleriana K. Schum.Randia kuhniana F. Hoffm. & K. Schum.Rothmannia engleriana var. ternifolia (Ficalho & Hiern) Somers & Robbr.Rothmannia katentaniae De Wild.Rothmannia kuhniana (F. Hoffm. & K. Schum.) Fagerl.Rothmannia lacourtiana De Wild.Rothmannia lemairei De Wild.Rothmannia ternifolia Ficalho & Hiern

Also Known As

Mkondokondo, Mkumba, Mpumba, Muharangundo, Mulambuda, Mupulu-mpumpi

References (7)

East African Herbarium records, 1981, (Also as Rothmannia kuhniana)
Flora Zambesiaca. http://apps.kew.org/efloras
Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 57
http://www.fao.org/forestry/25323-096344a3de335832e8f363c3ac5184a66.pdf
Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 175 (Also as Rothmannia kuhniana)

Show all 7 references