Shakama Plum – 5 Seeds

Shakama Plum (Hexalobus monopetalus) is a deciduous shrub or small, crooked tree with a scattered spreading canopy, growing to a height of 2-9m. The tree has both culinary and medicinal uses.

It has a slender, twisted stem with low branches that range in color from brown to black and are covered in light brown hair. The flowers are found either singly or in groups of 2 or 3, on very short stalks in the axils of the leaves, on leafless twigs or sometimes from the trunk, and emerge when the plant is without leaves. The flowers are made up of 3 sepals and 6 petals. The sepals are brown on the outside and the petals are pale yellow, greenish or cream.

The tree produces edible fruits that ripen in late summer. The fruits are cylindrical or ovoid, sometimes constricted between the seeds and scarlet when ripe. The pulp of the ripened fruit is bright yellow and has a sweet, pleasant acidic flavor. The fruit produced by this tree can be eaten raw or cooked and used to make jam.

Common names: shakama plum, baboon’s breakfast, wild custard apple (Eng.), bastersuikerappel, shakamapruim (Afr.), muhuhuma (Tshivenda), moheteka, mowedika (Northern Sotho)

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Medicinal Benefits:

• Used in the treatment of is fungal skin infections, stomach ulcers, sexually transmitted infections, inflammatory diseases, and wounds.
• It is also used to treat diabetes, chest aches, diarrhea and colds.

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Growing Shakama Plum

Indoor Sowing: Spring and Early Summer.

Direct Sowing: Not Recommended.

• This plant prefers well-draining loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
• Lightly scarify the seed coat.
• Then place the seeds in water for 24 hours.
• Sow seeds in a well-draining soil mix.
• Place the container in a warm, bright location.
• Germination takes about 3 months or longer.