''Mimusops zeyheri'' is a medium-sized (up to 15m) evergreen tree belonging to the family Sapotaceae and widely distributed in rocky places from the east coast of southern Africa, inland and northwards to tropical Africa. It is commonly known as milkwood or Transvaal red milkwood. It is closely related to '' Mimusops obovata'' and '' M. caffra'', both of which are South African trees.

Description

Its leaves are leathery and entire. Petioles and young leaves are covered in short rusty red hairs. Small amounts of latex can be seen on bruised leaves or petioles. The ripe yellow fruits have a glossy, brittle skin and are sweet and edible, floury in texture and slightly astringent. The wood is reddish-brown in colour, hard and tough, and was traditionally used in the making of wagons. Clusters of fragrant white flowers appear from October to January.

Habit

Given sufficient space, this species can grow into a very large, densely shady tree. Some enormous specimens are to be seen amongst the ruins of

Great Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe is a medieval city in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe near Lake Mutirikwi and the town of Masvingo. It is thought to have been the capital of a great kingdom during the country's Late Iron Age about which little is known. Con ...

. This species is often found in association with '' Englerophytum magalismontanum''.

Gallery

Mimusops zeyheri01.jpg, Mimusops zeyheri03.jpg, Mimusops zeyheri02.jpg,

References

* zeyheri Flora of South Tropical Africa Flora of Tanzania Trees of Angola Trees of Botswana Trees of South Africa Flora of Swaziland Taxa named by Otto Wilhelm Sonder Great Zimbabwe {{tree-stub

Description

Habit

Gallery

See also

References