Nauclea latifolia (african red peach)

Nauclea latifolia 

Family: Nauleeae.

Common names: african red peach

It is a deciduous flowering plant with an open canopy and growing up to 9 m tall. It has small branches that are thick and drooping. The bark is dark gray, fibrous, and cracked. The leaves are shiny green, oval, and rounded at the base but pointed at the tip. The flowers are white-yellow and occur in a single rounded heads. It can be cooked and consumed as vegetable. The fruit is a compound fruit, red or pinkish, and round consisting of very small seeds. Its pulp is deep red, watery, and has a sweet flavor. African Peach is used against various medical conditions such as diabetes, fever, indigestion, and cough. It can also be used as windbreak and/or planted for soil conservation.

Sowing instructions: Seed should be sown in spring or during summer, in a well-drained seedling mix, and need only be covered lightly with the sowing mix, clean coarse sand or milled bark. The trays should be kept moist in a warm but shaded position.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: August 2024