Transvaal Red Milkwood – 5 Seeds

Transvaal Red Milkwood (Mimusops zeyheri) is a medium-sized (up to 15m) evergreen tree belonging to the family Sapotaceae. The leaves are glossy, dark green. Young leaves are covered in short rusty red hairs. Small amounts of latex can be seen on bruised leaves or petioles.

The tree produces small, white, sweetly scented flowers usually from Spring to Summer, followed by berries which are initially green, turning a bright yellow or orange at maturity. The ripe fruits have a glossy, brittle skin and the orange colored flesh is sweet and edible, floury in texture and slightly astringent. The wood is reddish-brown in color, hard and tough, and was traditionally used in the making of wagons. .

Common names: moepel (Afr.); mmupudu (Northern Sotho); umpushane (Zulu); nhlantswa (Tsonga); mubululu (Venda).

Growing Transvaal Red Milkwood

• Sow seed in a flat seedling tray in a mixture of river sand and compost.
• Plant seeds not deeper than 5 mm.
• After germination the seedlings can be transplanted into individual containers once they have reached the two-leaf stage.
• Mature trees can tolerate mild frost.