Sideroxylon inerme

Sideroxylon inerme (aMasethole or white milkwood, Afrikaans: wit-melkhout, Xhosa: Ximafana, Zulu: Umakhwelafingqane) is a southern and eastern African coastal tree, with dense foliage, black berries and small, foetid, greenish flowers. The tree's generic name means "Iron-wood" in Greek, referring to its very hard timber. It is one of South Africa's "Protected Trees" and several specimens are provincial heritage sites. This is the only member of the genus Sideroxylon in Southern Africa.

Description

A small evergreen tree. It is often crooked and low but can be straight and up to 11 m tall. The bark becomes cracked with age. The leaves are tough and leathery and dark green above and paler beneath. They are 2.5-12 cm long by 1.5-5 cm wide. They are oval. The midrib is easy to see and raised underneath the leaf. The young leaf stalks are covered with rusty red hairs. The flowers are small and green. They occur singly or in clusters in the axils of leaves. The flowers have a strong unpleasant smell. The fruit are small and round. They can be 1.2 cm across. They are purplish black when mature. There is one seed inside.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The flowers are also edible.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Traditional uses include consumption of the ripe fruit.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It can grow up to 1200 m altitude in South Africa. It can grow in arid places. It grows in Miombo woodland in Africa. It grows in coastal woodlands and dune forests. It is widespread on mountains. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Pakistan, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds. They can be grown from semi-mature side shoot cuttings. They may need mist and bottom heat.

Propagation

Seed - easy, the seed sprouting within 4 - 6 weeks. Cuttings are also possible, but only semi-mature side shoots should be used - they normally root in 6 - 8 weeks.

Other Uses

The wood is yellowish brown with a fine texture. It is very heavy, very hard, strong, moderately elastic, and durable, even in damp circumstances. It is used for poles and for making spoons, and has been used for house construction and for building boats, bridges and mills. The wood is used for fuel and for making charcoal. Sideroxylon inerme does not easily catch fire and plantings could be useful as a firebreak.

Other Information

The fruit are not particularly attractive.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Melkbessie, Melkhoutboom, Sea oak, Tsenenze, Tsengende, Umqwashu, Witmelkhout

References (20)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 574
• De Vynk, J. C., et al, 2016, Indigenous edible plant use by contemporary Khoe-San descendants of South Africa's Cape South Coast. South African Journal of Botany. 102 (2016) 60-69
• Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
• Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 339
• Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 161

More from Sapotaceae

Sideroxylon obtusifolium

Obtuseleaf jungleplum

Sideroxylon obtusifolium subsp. buxifolium

Avalo, Cagalera, Caimito

Sideroxylon occidentale

Bebelama

Sideroxylon oxyacanthum

Sideroxylon palmeri

Bebelama

Sideroxylon peninsulare

Babelama, Western bumelia