Edible portion : Fruit
A bushy tree. It can grow up to 12 m tall. The trunk can be 36 cm across. The crown is round and leafy. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are 2.5-4 cm long. They are bright green when young and grey-green when mature. The flowers are small and pale green. They can occur singly or in small groups on long slender stalks in the axils of leaves. The fruit are smooth. They are oval and 0.6-1.3 cm long. They are widest at the base and pointed. They are green but turn yellow or red when mature. There is a thin layer of flesh around a 2 seeded kernel. They are edible.
Distribution : A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows on stony hillsides. It grows at medium and low altitudes in South Africa. It is drought resistant. It can only tolerate light frosts. It can grow in arid places.
Common names : Pink ivory, Red ivory, Miumbeza, Mkwalo, Moneyi, Moonay, Muhukuma, Mulatchine, Munhei, Muniedombo, Munieniane, Munikani, Munikara, M'naga, Munyii, Musukachuma, Muvhunambeza, Nkunzi, Pau-rosa, Rooi-ivoor, Sibeta, Sineyi, Tineyi, Umgologoti, Umncaga, Umneyi, Umnyiyi,
Synonyms:
Rhamnus zeyheri Sond.;
Phyllogeiton zeyheri (Sond.) Suesseng