Common Name: Wild Plum

General Information

Harpephyllum caffrum 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[]. The bark is often harvested for medicinal purposes and is sold in local markets. A handsome tree, it is grown as an ornamental in gardens and as a street tree[].
Harpephyllum caffrum has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

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

Habitat

Riverine forest; at elevations up to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
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 tree is fast-growing and also responds well to coppicing when young[].
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[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is half of 100?