Common Name: Transvaal Milkplum

General Information

Transvaal milkplum is an evergreen plant of variable growth habit depending on the habitat in which it grows. It can range from a small shrub perhaps 2 metres tall to a medium-sized tree up to 15 metres tall with exceptional specimens in woodland up to 35 metres[, ]. It is often found growing with 2 - 4 main stems[]. When growing as a tree it usually has a thin, short bole that is often crooked and fluted, and a spreading, dark green, dense crown[]. When more shrub-like, it can sucker to form a good-sized clump.
A very popular wild food, the fruit is often gathered and is considered to be one of the nicest tasting wild fruits in S. Africa[]. The plant is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Widespread through tropical Africa, south to S. Africa.

Habitat

Rocky outcrops and quartzite ridges, also occurs in riverine forest fringes[]. Coastal and inland deciduous woodlands, in riverine vegetation, wooded ravines, especially among rocks in sandy soils, also in ant hill thickets, sea level to 1,500 m[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in lowland tropical and subtropical climates[, ]. It can tolerate some frost[]. Plants are adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions[].
Prefers a well-drained soil[]. Established plants are drought resistant[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. A pleasant flavour and very thirst-quenching[, ]. The fruit can be crushed in water and the resulting extract boiled with maize to produce a colourful and tasty porridge[]. The fruit is used for making syrup, jelly, jam, wine, vinegar and is sometimes distilled to produce a strong alcoholic drink known as mampoer[]. The bright red, ellipsoid fruit is 25mm across[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the root is used to treat abdominal pain[].
The powdered roots are rubbed into incisions made in the skin over affected areas to treat rheumatism and headaches[, ].
An infusion of finely powdered roots and fruits has been used to cure epilepsy[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

A hardy and fast-growing species suitable for agroforestry[]. It could prove useful, for example, in land reclamation, erosion control, and especially wind erosion reduction[].

Other Uses

The wood is hard and heavy[]. It is used for building poles, tool handles and spoons[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown while the seed is still fresh. The germination period is about 37 days and plants are big enough to transplant two months later[].
Cuttings.

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