Scolopia stolzii

Gilg

Salicaceae Edible: Fruit 6 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A small tree. It grows 10 m tall. The bark is pale brown and smooth and flaking. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaf blade is 5-7 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are oval and rounded or wedge shaped at the base. They taper to the tip and can have teeth along the edge. The flowers occur singly without stalks in the upper axils of leaves. The fruit is a flattened, fleshy berry. It is red. They are 2-3 cm wide.

Edible Uses

The fruits are eaten.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows along rivers and in dry lowland and mountain forests. It grows in the lowlands and highlands. It has been recorded at 1,600 m above sea level in Tanzania.

Where It Grows

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Notes

Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Synonyms

Scolopia riparia Mildbr. & Sleumer

Also Known As

Comangamba, Mgola, Mgovigovi, Mzuyuyu

References (4)

http://www.fao.org/forestry/25323-096344a3de335832e8f363c3ac5184a66.pdf (As Scolopia riparia)
Lovett, J. C. et al, Field Guide to the Moist Forest Trees of Tanzania. p 64
Ruffo, C. K., Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B., 2002, Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania. RELMA p 596
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew