Afrocanthium lactescens

Afrocanthium lactescens (Hiern) Lantz (Canthium lactescens Hiern)

Common names

Gummy canthium (English); munkolobondo (Bemba); mufungo (Bemba/Kunda).

Note that the Bemba name ‘munkolobondo’ is also applied to Multidentia crassa (formerly Canthium crassum). The two species look similar in leaf but the fruit are quite different. It is likely that the record of the use of munkolobondo for Afrocanthium lactescens is a case of mistaken identity.

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A shrub or small tree, usually 2-3 m tall in the valley. Canthium lactescens is most easily recognised by its perpendicular branches, and large, papery, paired leaves. Bark grey to brown, smooth, with lenticels. Branchlets perpendicular off main stem, and leaves crowded on spur branches. Leaves simple, opposite, with interpetiolar stipules; mid-green, large, broadly elliptic to round, 7-18 x 5-13 cm, usually with only one pair of leaves on each branch. Petioles 5-20 mm long. Flowers small, creamy yellow, clusters of 20-50 produced in pedunculated cymes (November-February). Fruit ovoid, 7-12 x 8-12 mm, ripening yellowish, edible (April-June).

Range and habitat

Afrocanthium lactescens occurs throughout much of tropical Africa, and south to Zambia, Mizambique and Zimbabwe. In the Luangwa valley it is found in mixed alluvial thicket and Combretum thicket.