''Phyllogeiton discolor'' (syn. ''Berchemia discolor''), known as bird plum or brown ivory in English, is a tree native to southern and eastern Africa including Madagascar. It is a broadleaf tree growing to . The fruits, resembling

dates Date or dates may refer to: *Date (fruit), the fruit of the date palm (''Phoenix dactylifera'') Social activity *Dating, a form of courtship involving social activity, with the aim of assessing a potential partner **Group dating *Play date, an ...

, are edible with sweet flesh surrounding 1-2 flat seeds. They are occasionally sold in local markets, eaten fresh, or dried and pounded and then added to

pearl millet Pearl millet (''Cenchrus americanus'', commonly known as the synonym ''Pennisetum glaucum''; also known as 'Bajra' in Hindi, 'Sajje' in Kannada, 'Kambu' in Tamil, 'Bajeer' in Kumaoni and 'Maiwa' in Hausa, 'Mexoeira' in Mozambique) is the most w ...

pap for their sweet flavour. Animals such as monkeys, baboons and birds also eat them. The leaves are eaten by elephants, giraffe and several antelopes, as well as livestock, such that many trees exhibit a distinct browse line. The wood is hard and attractive, suitable for furniture, charcoal, building material, beehives, crafts, and things like tool handles and pestles. ''Phyllogeiton discolor'' is also used as a dye, fodder, ornamental tree and as herbal medicine to treat several human and animal diseases and ailments. For instance, the Himba people cook the bark against nausea and diarrhoea.

References

Rhamnaceae Flora of Angola Flora of Ethiopia Flora of Madagascar Flora of Namibia Flora of Somalia Flora of South Africa Flora of Africa Flora of Tanzania Flora of Yemen Fruits originating in Africa Tropical fruit Plants described in 1868 Flora of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests {{Africa-stub