Friesodielsia obovata

Friesodielsia obovata (Benth.) Verdc. (Popowia obovata(Benth.) Engl. & Diels)

Common names

Northern dwaba berry (English); muchinka, muchinga, nchinka, chinka (Bemba/Kunda/Tumbuka); mulungulwa, mlungulwa (Nyanja).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A small deciduous shrub which sometimes grows as a semi-climber. More or less smooth dark grey bark; leaves are papery and slightly hairy on both surfaces. Single yellowish-green flowers appear in January and then fruits from March to August. The finger-like fruits are constricted between the seeds.

Range and habitat

Valley riverine fringe woodland and thicket; Mixed alluvial thicket; Combretum thicket. Levees and sand deposits of major rivers; Thicket (Astle ‘th’). Common in thickets on alluvium; in other areas of the valley it is confined to termite mounds.