Vangueria infausta
| Wild medlar (Vangueria infausta) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific name | Vangueria infausta[1] |
| Common names | Wild medlar; wilde mispel; mpfilwa; mmilo; umviyo; umvilo |
| Genus | Vangueria |
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Growth form | Deciduous shrub or small tree, about 1.5–8 m tall[2][3] |
| Native range | Africa; woodland, thicket, grassland, rocky and sandy habitats[2][3] |
| Climate and site | Drought-resistant and moderately cold-tolerant; full sun to light shade; well-drained sandy or rocky soil[2][3] |
| Propagation | Fresh seed or cuttings[2] |
| Fruit | Soft, fleshy, sweet-sour fruit with 3–5 seeds; about 15–47 mm across[2][3] |
| Harvest | Fruit present mainly from January to April in the South African account[2] |
Vangueria infausta, commonly called wild medlar or wilde mispel, is a deciduous African fruiting shrub or small tree. It is suited to growers who can provide strong light and drainage while allowing for a pronounced seasonal rhythm.[2]
Description[edit | edit source]
Vangueria infausta is a deciduous shrub or small tree reported at approximately 1.5–8 m tall. It occurs in grassland, thicket, open woodland, rocky places, sandy valleys, and dunes across its African range.[3]
The fruit is soft and fleshy, with a sweet-sour, somewhat mealy taste. It is reported at about 15–47 mm across and contains three to five seeds.[2][3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
The species grows in woodland, scrub, grassland, stony sites, sandy valleys, and dunes. Use a sandy or otherwise well-drained root zone and avoid chronically stagnant wetness. It is reported as drought resistant, but the irrigation interval should be adjusted to local conditions rather than treated as a fixed requirement.[2][3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Full sun to light shade is recorded for the species. Because its habitats range from open grassland to woodland and thicket, place it in strong light with good airflow where possible; light shade is a reasonable option in hotter sites or during establishment.[3]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The plant is deciduous. Flowers appear in spring in the South African account, and fruit is present mainly from January to April there. The flowering and fruiting calendar should be translated to the local wet and dry seasons rather than copied as a universal month schedule.[2][3]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
SANBI recommends fresh seed or cuttings. For seed, remove the outer skin and pulp before sowing in a well-drained sandy seedling mix. Cuttings provide a second recorded method when a clonal plant is wanted.[2][3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Flowers appear in spring in the South African account. Fruit is present mainly from January to April in that regional record; harvest timing should therefore be matched to the plant's local seasonal cycle rather than treated as a fixed calendar for every climate.[2]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The ripe fruit is edible and has a sweet-sour, mealy character. Its soft flesh is used raw, and the fruit contains three to five seeds.[2][3]
Photos[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Vangueria infausta, habitus, a, Pretoria NBT.jpg — JMK, Wikimedia Commons file page, CC BY-SA 3.0. The image shows Vangueria infausta in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden.
- Vangueria infausta, vrug, Schanskop.jpg — JMK, Wikimedia Commons file page, CC BY-SA 3.0. The image shows fruit of Vangueria infausta at Schanskop, Pretoria.
