Common Name: Wild Plum

General Information

Wild plum is an attractive evergreen tree with a thick crown of somewhat drooping leaves, growing up to 15 metres tall[, ]. The bole is up to 60cm in diameter[].
The fruit is a popular wild food in its native area and the tree is considered to have potential for commercial cultivation, though trials to date have been disappointing[]. A handsome tree, it is grown as an ornamental in gardens and as a street tree[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Africa - eastern S. Africa, Swaziland, southern Mozambique, Zimbabwe.

Habitat

Riverine forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in tropical and subtropical climates[]. Plants are intolerant of frost[, ].
Tolerant of a wide range of soils, including poor soils[, ]. Succeeds in dry soils[].
The branches are quite brittle and can break off in high winds[].
Plants are dioecious, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit is required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or made into jams, jelly etc[, ]. A juicy pulp with an acid flavour[]. The thinly-fleshy fruits are 25mm across[, ], and contain a single seed[].

Medicinal

The bark is a popular traditional medicine. It is used to treat acne and eczema, and is usually applied in the form of facial saunas and skin washes[]. It is used by people with 'bad blood' that results in pimples on the face[].

The powdered burnt bark is used to treat sprains and bone fractures[].

Root decoctions are traditionally taken in the treatment of paralysis that is thought to have been contracted from walking over an area that has been poisoned or polluted through sorcery[].

Other Uses

A mauve or pink dye is obtained from the bark[].

The pale reddish wood is hard, strong, fairly heavy and elastic[, , ]. It polishes well but is not very durable[]. Very handsome when polished, it has been used as a general purpose timber, for furniture and beams and is also used for carving curios[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - easily grown from seeds[295. Stored seeds should be soaked in water for a day and then scrubbed with a brush to remove the fleshy part[]. It should not be planted too deeply as it can easily rot. The seeds take 7 to 11 days to germinate[].
Cuttings and truncheons[]. The truncheons should be dried before planting; they can be left lying in the shade for a day or until all exudate has dried. The hole in which the truncheon is going to be planted should be filled with a layer of river sand to promote root formation and improve drainage[]. This also helps to combat fungal diseases[].

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