African medlar (Vangueria infausta)

Family: Rubiaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Vangueria infausta, known as African Medlar, is a low-branching tree reaching a height of 8 m and is native to the southern and eastern Afrotropics. It is tolerant to drought but growth rate is slow. The bark is brown and flaky, and leaves are large, opposite, dull, and vary in shape. Flowers are green and in dense clusters. The fruits are glossy and green when young, then become tan as it mature.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweetish-sour flavour. — A soft, fleshy pulp.; An acid, somewhat sweetish-sour flavour.; The brown pulp round the seeds tastes somewhat like stewed dried, apple-rings.; The pulp is sometimes soaked in water and then dried for later use.

Habitat & North American Range

Grassland, thicket and open woodlands, often on termite mounds, in rocky places and even dunes at elevations from near sea level to 1,500 metres. (Zone 10)