Manilkara discolor aka Forest Milkberry

Manilkara discolor is an evergreen tree in the Sapotaceae family. Its common names include red milkwood and silvery milkwood. It grows wild in eastern and southern Africa. Its range runs from Kenya south to South Africa. It also includes Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It lives in both lowland and upland evergreen forests. Some sites are dry; others lie in well-drained rainforest. Its range reaches 6,890 feet [2,100 metres] above sea level.

This tree forms a dense, rounded crown with many branches. Garden references give a height and spread of 66 feet [20 metres]. Broader accounts give heights from 10–131 feet [3–40 metres]. Its growth rate is moderate. The trunk is straight, with smooth, pale bark. Large trees may develop shallow grooves near the trunk base. The large, oblong leaves are green on top. Silvery hairs cover their lower sides, giving the tree another common name. The plant also releases white latex.

Flowers grow in groups where leaves join the stems. Bees pollinate them. The fruits are fleshy berries, yellow to red when ripe. They are round to oval and reach about half an inch across. Each holds a pale, flattened, oval seed. People gather the fruit from wild trees for food. They eat the juicy flesh raw and discard the seeds. The fruit serves as a snack for children and travellers. Both references report no known hazards, but give no specific pet-safety assessment. They list no known medicinal uses.

For growing, this tree needs soil that drains well. It can grow in sand, loam or clay. It accepts mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline soil. PFAF lists both full sun and light shade as suitable. It also lists dry or moist soil conditions. Its hardiness range is USDA zones 10–12. PFAF also gives the older UK zone designation of 10. Seed is the listed means of propagation. The supplied accounts give no flowering season or pest-control guidance.

The broad crown makes this tree useful for shade. PFAF also includes it among food-forest plants. Its value combines edible fruit with a lasting evergreen canopy. People harvest its hard wood for several local uses. These include poles, tool handles, carved goods and spoons. The wood also serves as fuel. PFAF records no weed potential for this species.