Sand Apricot

( Mabungo )

  • Landolphia kirkii
  • IUCN Status: Least Concern
  • Tree Type: Deciduous
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade 1: Tracheophytes
  • Clade 2: Angiosperms
  • Clade 3: Eudicots
  • Clade 4: Asterids
  • Order: Gentianales
  • Family: Apocynaceae
  • Genus: Landolphia
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General Information

Landolphia kirkii (known as sand apricot-vine, rubber vine or Kirk’s landolphia) is a species of liana from the family Apocynaceae that can be found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Fun Facts!

Description

The green fruits are spherical with a diameter of 15 cm, and are edible. The leaves are oblong and sometimes ovate and can reach up to 9 cm in length. They are glossy green coloured from above, and have a channeled midrib. They have 10-12 pairs of lateral veins, with a net-veining that is slightly raised just above the midrib, that is pubescent underneath.

Uses

The fruit and fruit juice are used as medicine. Apricot is used for asthma, constipation, infertility, vaginal infections, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In manufacturing, apricot oil is used in cosmetics. It can also be enjoyed in various fresh foods such as salads.

Cultivation

Toxicity and Allergies

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