About Vangueria infausta Burch.
Vangueria infausta Burch. is most commonly a smallish, low-branching tree, though it can grow up to 8 meters tall. It has drooping branchlets and pale greyish brown, flaky bark. Its fairly large, dull leaves have entire margins, variable shapes, an opposite arrangement, and conspicuous net-veining on their lower surface. Young leaves of this species are boat-shaped and recurved along the central vein. Dense clusters of robust green flowers grow from pointed buds during spring. Each velvety flower measures around 4 mm long and 6 mm wide, and the flowers grow on opposite, axillary cymes. The corolla is shed early in development. Initially green and glossy fruits appear in summer, and retain the remains of the calyx around their tips. The mature fruits develop into unevenly shaped, glossy, tan-coloured plums that contain soft fleshy pulp and fairly large seeds. This shrub or small tree grows abundantly in woodlands, scrub, valleys, stony kopjes, and sandy dunes across much of Southern and East Africa, including Madagascar. It is native to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, and can be found at elevations between 350 and 1,330 meters above sea level. Common known as the African medlar, it is a traditional food plant in Africa. This little-known fruit has the potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and support sustainable land care. The fruits are eaten raw, or their pulp may be dried and stored for later use; the seeds can be roasted. Goats and game browse on the species' leaves, while other animals eat the fruit either on the tree or after it has fallen to the ground. Traditional healers use the roots and leaves of Vangueria infausta Burch. Thin twigs of this plant are often host to spittlebugs.
