African Medlar – 5 Seeds

Vangueria infausta, the medlar or African medlar, is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae, which is indigenous to South Africa. It is a hardy, deciduous, drought-resistant, large shrub or small tree with big, velvety leaves that have prominent veins on the under-surface. Growing to a height of between 3 to 5m it is a popular, natural fruit tree that is drought resistant and fairly cold resistant.

Common names: wild medlar (Eng.); wilde mispel (Afr.); mpfilwa (Tsonga & Shangaan); mmilo (Northern Sotho); muzwilu, mavelo (Venda); umviyo, umtulwa (Zulu); umvilo (Xhosa); umbizo, umviyo (Ndebele); mmilo, mothwany (Tswana); umvile, amantulwane (Swati).

Clusters of small, greenish-white, sweetly-scented flowers are borne from September to November, usually before the leaves appear. The fruit is almost round, glossy dark green when young and changing to a light brown when ripe. The ripe fruit is soft and fleshy with a leathery skin that encloses 3-5 seeds embedded in soft pulp. The fruit is edible and has a pleasant sweet-sour, mealy taste. It tastes like an apple.

Culinary Uses

• The fruit is mostly eaten raw but in some parts it is stored as dried fruit to be used in time of food scarcity.
• It is said that mampoer, a strong alcoholic drink or brandy can be distilled from it or fermented to make beer.
• If mixed with a little water and sugar it produces an acceptable substitute for apple sauce.
• The fruit juice can also be used for flavoring purposes by squeezing it out in water, discarding the seed and skins. This is done often for flavoring porridge.

Medicinal Benefits

• Treatment of malaria and, chest ailments such as pneumonia.
• As a purgative and to treat ringworm.
• It is used for the relief of toothache and also for the treatment of swelling of limbs.

Growing African Medlar

• Medlar’s are self-fertile, meaning only one tree is needed to produce fruit.
• Will grow in almost any type of soil, as long as it is well drained and can be planted in semi-shade or full sun.
• Sow in early spring.
• Soak seeds overnight and plant the next morning in seedling trays filled with river sand and cover with a thin layer of sand.
• Place the trays in a dark, cool spot and keep the soil moist.
• Germination in about 5 weeks.
• Transplant the seedlings into nursery bags when they reach the 3-leaf stage.
• Keep the seedlings in nursery bags at least one year before transplanting them into the garden