Family: Olacaceae

Scientific name: Ximenia caffra

Authority: Sond.

Zulu names: amathunduluka, umthunduluka, umthunduluka obomvu, umgwenya

Other names: sour plum, large sour plum, Natal sourplum, monkey plum (English) grootsuurpruim, groot-suurpruim, kleinsuurpruim, pruim, sourplum, suurpruim, wildesuurpruima (Afrikaans)

Plant description: X. caffra is a spiny shrub that grows to about 5 m in height. It has elliptic leaves, greenish-to-creamy white flowers with tinged pink or red shape, edible fruits that turn golden yellowish-orange or red when ripe and are rich in vitamin C. The tree is hardy and resilient, it is drought and frost tolerant, and occurs in grassland and woodland habitats.

Uses:

The edible fruits are eaten raw.
The fruits are used to make jam, jellies, and other desserts.
The fruits are eaten to treat scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency.
The fruits are used as an astringent.
The fruit pulp is used to make soft porridge.
The roots are used to treat indigestion, diarrhoea, dysentery, and blood in faeces.
The leaves and roots are used to treat cough, chest pain, fever, headache, and body pain.
The leaves and roots are used to treat venereal disease, such as gonorrhoea and syphillis.
The roots are used to treat impotence in men and as an aphrodisiac.
The seeds are used to extract the oil, used cosmetically as an ointment for hair and skin. The oil is also used as fuel for lamps.
The wood is used to make tool handles, utensils, construction, and fuelwood.
This tree is cultivated as an ornamental and as a fence.

Safety precaution:

Using traditional medicine responsibly can enhance your overall health and well-being. Misuse and abuse can lead to complications. You can inquire about the correct use of traditional medicine from a knowledgeable herbalist and practitioner. You can also visit imithiyesintu.co.za or email: info@imithiyesintu.co.za to learn more about traditional medicine

References and further reading:

Baloyi, Joseph K., and Yvonne Reynolds. “Ximenia Caffra.” National Biodiversity Institute, Aug. 2004
Chivandi, E., Davidson, B.C., Erlwanger, K.H., 2012. The red sour plum (Ximenia caffra) seed: a potential non-conventional energy and protein source for livestock feeds. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 14, p 540-544.
Fox, F.W. and Norwood Young, M.E., 1982. food from the veld – edible wild plants of Southern Africa. Delta Books, South Africa.
Janick, J. and Paull, R.E. eds., 2008. The encyclopedia of fruit & nuts. CABI.
Mathabe, M.C., Nikolova, R.V., Lall, N. and Nyazema, N.Z., 2006. Antibacterial activities of medicinal plants used for the treatment of diarrhoea in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 105(1-2), pp.286-293.
Mtshali, C.S., 1994. An investigation of environmental knowledge among two rural Black communities in Natal (Doctoral dissertation, Rhodes University).
Mulaudzi, R.B., Ndhlala, A.R., Kulkarni, M.G., Finnie, J.F. and Van Staden, J., 2011. Antimicrobial properties and phenolic contents of medicinal plants used by the Venda people for conditions related to venereal diseases. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 135(2), pp.330-337.
Ndhlala, A.R., Muchuweti, M., Mupure, C., Chitindingu, K., Murenje, T., Kasiyamhuru, A. and Benhura, M.A., 2008. Phenolic content and profiles of selected wild fruits of Zimbabwe: Ximenia caffra, Artobotrys brachypetalus and Syzygium cordatum. International journal of food science & technology, 43(8), pp.1333-1337.
Orwa C, A Mutua, Kindt R , Jamnadass R, S Anthony. 2009 Agroforestree Database:a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0 (http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/treedbs/treedatabases.asp)
Saka, J.K. and Msonthi, J.D., 1994. Nutritional value of edible fruits of indigenous wild trees in Malawi. Forest ecology and Management, 64(2-3), pp.245-248.