Strychnos madagascariensis aka Hairy Leaved Monkey Orange

Strychnos madagascariensis is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Loganiaceae family. Its native range spans eastern and southern Africa and Madagascar. This includes Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana. It also grows in Eswatini and South Africa. It occurs in coastal forests and forests along rivers. Other habitats include woodland and bushland that shed their leaves.

The plant often forms several stems with many branches. These make a wide, uneven crown with an angular outline. The trunk tends to branch close to the ground. Usual heights range from about 5–33 feet [1.5–10 metres]. Some trees reach 66 feet [20 metres]. The source also lists a height of 26 feet [8 metres]. Trunk width ranges from about 0.2–2 feet [0.07–0.6 metres]. Its woody frame and spreading crown define its form.

This species grows in tropical and subtropical climates. Wild plants occur from sea level to 4,920 feet [1,500 metres]. It cannot withstand frost. It grows in sand or rocky ground with good drainage. Seed offers an easy way to raise new plants. Young trees can grow quite fast from seed. The source gives a moderate growth rate overall. Flowers and fruit may appear at any time of year. The supplied account gives no flower colour or shape.

People gather the fruit from wild plants for local use. They also sell it in local markets. The round fruit varies greatly in size and seed count. Each fruit holds about five to fifty seeds. Large fruit tends to be hard; smaller fruit is softer. The orange pulp has a slick texture and tart taste. People eat the pulp raw or use it in drinks. Dried fruit has a taste compared with apricot. People mix it with honey or grind it for porridge. A report of eating dried seeds carries an explicit caution.

Local medicine uses several parts of the plant. Reported uses include leaves for scabies and fruit paste for jigger fleas. Other records describe fruit and bark as tonics. Roots feature in preparations used to cause vomiting. These are records of use, not proof of safety. The wood supplies house-building material, tool handles, doors, containers, and spoons. People also burn it as fuel.