Vangueria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae, order Gentianales, comprising over 50 species of shrubs and small trees. The genus was first formally described by the French botanist Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789, in his foundational work Genera Plantarum. Its species are native primarily to sub-Saharan Africa, with the centre of diversity concentrated in East Africa — particularly Kenya and Tanzania — and one species, Vangueria madagascariensis, extending to Madagascar. The genus is relatively uncommon in West Africa.
Several species produce edible fruits and are of local economic and cultural importance across their range. The best-known member, Vangueria madagascariensis (Spanish tamarind or tamarind of the Indies), is cultivated across tropical Africa and beyond for its tart, apple-like fruits. Vangueria infausta (wild medlar) is another widely used species valued for its fruit across southern and eastern Africa.
The taxonomy of Vangueria was revised following a 2005 molecular phylogenetic study, which demonstrated that species formerly placed in the genus Tapiphyllum — including the type species Tapiphyllum cinerascens — were more closely related to Vangueria than to other Tapiphyllum members, leading to the synonymisation of Tapiphyllum into Vangueria.
Etymology
The genus name Vangueria derives from "Voa vanguer", the Malagasy common name for Vangueria madagascariensis, the species first known to European botanists via Madagascar.
Distribution
Vangueria is distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, with over 50 species occurring from West Africa to East and southern Africa. The centre of diversity lies in East Africa, especially Kenya and Tanzania. One species, V. madagascariensis, also occurs in Madagascar.
Taxonomy
The genus was described by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789 (Gen. Pl.: 206). A 2005 molecular phylogenetic study showed that the former genus Tapiphyllum was paraphyletic with respect to Vangueria, and its type species (T. cinerascens) was nested within Vangueria; as a result, Tapiphyllum was synonymised into Vangueria. GBIF recognises Vangueria Juss. as accepted, in family Rubiaceae, order Gentianales.
Cultural Uses
Several Vangueria species produce edible fruits consumed across sub-Saharan Africa. Vangueria madagascariensis (Spanish tamarind) bears tart, brownish fruits eaten fresh or used in beverages, and has been introduced to tropical regions beyond Africa. Vangueria infausta (wild medlar) is widely harvested for its sweet-sour fruit in southern and eastern Africa.
