Pappea capensis aka Judgement Tree

Pappea capensis is an evergreen tree in the Sapindaceae family. Its common names include doppruim, wild plum and South African cherry. It comes from eastern and southern Africa. Its range runs from Ethiopia and Somalia south to South Africa. It also grows in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia and Botswana. Wild trees grow in bushveld, scrub and wooded grassland. They also occur in riverside thickets and on rocky outcrops. They often grow on termite mounds.

This long-lived tree reaches about 7–26 feet (2–8 metres) tall. It forms a broad crown with dense foliage. People grow it as an ornamental and gather its products from wild trees. Its roots are not aggressive, a useful trait in gardens. Trees can also withstand pollarding. Growth is slow in dry or cold sites. With good conditions, it can reach a moderate growth rate. It suits a range of tropical and subtropical climates. Once established, it can cope with long spells of drought.

Bees pollinate the flowers. The round green fruit capsules have a furry surface. Each measures about 0.4 inches (10 millimetres) across. The capsule splits to expose an orange-red, jelly-like aril. This flesh surrounds a glossy, dark brown to black seed. Birds, including barbets, feed on the fruit. People eat both ripe and unripe fruit raw. Unripe fruit tastes sour; ripe fruit is sweeter but still tart. The juicy flesh also goes into preserves, jelly, vinegar and alcoholic drinks.

The seeds are edible and yield an oil used for food. People also dry and grind the bark for tea or soup. The source lists no known hazards. This does not establish safety for every use or for pets. Traditional medicine uses the leaves, bark and seed oil. Reported uses include skin complaints, hair loss and digestive troubles. These records describe traditional use, not proof that treatments work.

Seed oil also serves as a lubricant and soap ingredient. The hard, heavy wood has a twisted grain. People use it for poles, sticks, furniture and kitchen tools. Small stem sizes limit the amount of usable timber. For propagation, growers collect seeds from ripe fruit and remove the flesh. Seeds need a well-drained mix and a warm, lightly shaded spot. Germination can take six to ten weeks under good conditions. Young plants need careful handling to avoid damage to the taproot.