Aphloia theiformis

Description

A shrub or tree. It grows 10-18 m tall. The bark is brown and smooth. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are 3-8 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are glossy dark green above and tend to droop. The leaves have teeth. The flowers are in the axils of the leaves. They are in groups of 1-3 and are white. They have yellow stamens in the centre. The flowers have a scent. The fruit is a fleshy berry. It is white. It is 5 mm across.

Edible Uses

The small white fruit can be eaten fresh, and the leaves are used to make tea.

Traditional Uses

The fruit can be eaten. The leaves are used to make tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The roots are used as a treatment for stomach worms.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and also near the edges of the forest. It suits humid locations. It grows in mid altitude and mountain forest. In Malawi it grows between 1,250-2,450 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Comoros, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mascarene Islands, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Other Uses

The wood is hard. It is used for building poles, withies, tool handles, spoons and combs.

Other Information

The fruit are small.

Notes

There is probably only one Aphloia species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Albino berry, Fandramanana, Ipatatiho, Kirandrambehivavy, Mussicate, Rambafotsy, Sicate, Voafotsy

References (10)

• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 35
• Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 9
• Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 232
• Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/
• Porcher, V., et al, 2022, Growing up in the Betsileo landscape: Children’s wild edible plants knowledge in Madagascar. PLoS ONE 17(2): e0264147.