Harpephyllum caffrum
| wild plum (Harpephyllum caffrum) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific name | Harpephyllum caffrum |
| Common names | wild plum; umKokolo |
| Genus | Harpephyllum |
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Growth form | Evergreen tree |
| Native range | Eastern South Africa, southern Mozambique, and Zimbabwe |
| Mature size | About 15 m |
| Climate and site | Frost-free; full sun or morning sun with semi-shade |
| Propagation | Seed |
| Fruit | Plum-like red fruit with an acidic flavour; edible |
| Harvest | Fruit ripens in autumn in the native range |
Harpephyllum caffrum is an accepted species of Anacardiaceae with an exact GBIF match.[1] Commonly called wild plum or umKokolo, it is an evergreen African tree associated especially with riverine forests and valued for its edible red fruit.[2][3]
Description[edit | edit source]
Harpephyllum caffrum grows as an evergreen tree reaching about 15 m. It occurs from South Africa through southern Mozambique and into Zimbabwe, especially in riverine forest habitats.[2][3] The branches can be brittle, and young plants respond to coppicing.[3]
The species is dioecious: male and female flowers occur on separate trees.[3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Riverine-forest habitat is part of the plant's natural setting. Sandy or loam soil around neutral pH is suitable, and the tree has also been grown successfully in dry soils.[2][3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Full sun or morning sun with semi-shade is suitable. The plant is best kept in a frost-free site.[2][3]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
In the native Southern Hemisphere range, flowering runs through summer, from November to February, and the plum-like fruit ripens red in autumn.[2] Calendar dates will shift when it is grown outside southern Africa.
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed propagation is documented for this species.[2]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. Flowering occurs during the southern African summer, from November to February, and fruits ripen during autumn.[2][3] A fruiting planting must account for the species' separate sexes rather than relying on a single tree.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is plum-like and turns red when ripe. It is edible and has an acidic flavour; recorded uses include fresh eating, jams, jellies, and rosé wine.[2][3]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Harpephyllum caffrum kz1.JPG: Harpephyllum caffrum in Parque Botánico de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria. Photograph by Krzysztof Ziarnek (Kenraiz), own work, CC BY-SA 3.0. File page: Wikimedia Commons. Attribution and share-alike compliance are required.
