Scolopia zeyheri aka Thorn Pear

Scolopia zeyheri is an evergreen shrub or tree in Salicaceae. It grows wild across parts of Africa. Kew records its range as Cameroon and southern Ethiopia to southern Africa. Useful Tropical Plants gives a narrower range, from Kenya southward. That account also includes southern Angola and South Africa. The species occurs in a seasonally dry tropical climate.

This woody plant forms many branches and can become tall. Useful Tropical Plants lists a height of about 39 feet [12 metres]. Its fuller account gives about 43 feet [13 metres] as usual. Some trees reach 82 feet [25 metres], well above that height. These figures do not establish a separate range for garden plants. Branches often start low on the trunk. The trunk can reach about 2 feet [0.6 metres] across. Some trunks bear spines that branch in turn. Young plants may climb, using their long branches. The plant keeps its leaves through the year.

Its wild habitats include dry evergreen forest and woodland along rivers. It also grows in bushland and grassland with scattered trees. Open sites with rocks or sand form part of its habitat. Records extend from sea level to 7,874 feet [2,400 metres]. For cultivation, Useful Tropical Plants recommends full sun. It also calls for fertile soil that drains well. The supplied evidence gives no frost limit or hardiness zone. It lists seed as a means of propagation, without further steps.

Bees pollinate the flowers, but the source gives no bloom season. The fruit is a round berry with fleshy pulp. Berries measure roughly 0.016–0.033 feet [0.005–0.01 metres] across. They turn black as they reach full ripeness. People eat the sweet fruit raw as a snack. Local people gather food from wild plants rather than solely from cultivated stock. The source reports no known hazards. This does not establish safety for pets or every plant part.

People also gather the wood for practical uses. It is dense, hard, and fine-grained. Reported uses include wagon parts, axles, spokes, poles, and tool handles. The wood also serves as fuel. Useful Tropical Plants records no known medicinal uses. The supplied evidence does not identify pests or diseases. Nor does it describe pruning needs or tested landscape uses.