Maytenus acuminata

(L.f.) Loes.

Celastraceae Edible: Fruit, Roots 858 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Maytenus acuminata (also called the silky bark, umNama or Sybas) is a variable, medium-sized, evergreen tree indigenous to Africa, including South Africa. Here it is especially common on the verges of afro-montane forest. It produces small, white flowers and bright orange or red berries. In cultivation it is useful as a light shade tree, as an ornamental, or for attracting birds. The reference to "silk" in some of its common names derives from the way in which some of its sap will congeal into silky threads on contact with air. This can most easily be demonstrated by carefully breaking a leaf across, then gently pulling the two halves apart (see illustration). The threads appear at points that coincide with the positions where major veins in the leaf have broken. The threads do not appear to have any practical use, least of all as fibre.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It can grow 1-15 m tall. The leaves are dark green and shiny above and more pale underneath. They are 2-12 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flower petals are green or white and can be tinged with red. The fruit capsule is orange to red and 4-11 mm long. It has 3 lobes. There are 1-3 seeds and they ate brown.

Edible Uses

The roots are used in soup. The fruit and roots are edible portions.

Traditional Uses

The roots are used in soup.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 1,400-2,400 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Rwanda, SE Asia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Synonyms

Catha acuminata (L.f.) C. PreslCatha rupestris C. PreslCelastrus acuminatus L. f.Celastrus acuminatus var. microphyllus Sond. in Harv. & Sond.Celastrus mucronatus Eckl. & Zeyh.Celastrus populifolius Lam.Celastrus rupestris Eckl. & Zeyh. Ennepta atomaria Raf.Ennepta coriacea Raf.Gymnosporia acuminata var. lepidota (Loes.) Loes.Ilex livida E. Mey. Maytenus amaniensis (Loes.) Loes.Maytenus lepidota (Loes.) Robyns & Lawalreeand others

Also Known As

Lacucuku

References (2)

Mutie, F. M., et al, 2023, Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches. Plants 2023, 12, 1145
Oryema, C., et al, 2013, Edible wild fruit species of Gulu District, Uganda. International Journal of Biology and Biological Sciences Vol 2(4) pp 068-082