Mimusops zeyheri
Encyclopedia
Mimusops zeyheri is a medium-sized (up to 15m) evergreen tree belonging to the Sapotaceae
family and widely distributed in rocky places from the east coast of southern Africa, inland and northwards to tropical Africa. Commonly known as milkwood or Transvaal Red Milkwood, 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. Given sufficient space, this species can grow into a very large, densely shady tree. Some enormous specimens are to be seen amongst the Zimbabwe Ruins
. This species is often found in association with Englerophytum magalismontanum
. It is closely related to Mimusops obovata and M. caffra, both of which are South African trees.
Sapotaceae
Sapotaceae is a family of flowering plants, belonging to order Ericales. The family includes approximately 800 species of evergreen trees and shrubs in approximately 65 genera . Distribution is pantropical....
family and widely distributed in rocky places from the east coast of southern Africa, inland and northwards to tropical Africa. Commonly known as milkwood or Transvaal Red Milkwood, 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. Given sufficient space, this species can grow into a very large, densely shady tree. Some enormous specimens are to be seen amongst the Zimbabwe Ruins
Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe is a ruined city that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, which existed from 1100 to 1450 C.E. during the country’s Late Iron Age. The monument, which first began to be constructed in the 11th century and which continued to be built until the 14th century, spanned an...
. This species is often found in association with Englerophytum magalismontanum
Englerophytum magalismontanum
Englerophytum magalismontanum T.D.Penn., is an evergreen tree usually growing in rocky places, with a wide distribution from northern KwaZulu-Natal along the east coast and into the interior, northwards into tropical Africa....
. It is closely related to Mimusops obovata and M. caffra, both of which are South African trees.