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Wild Plum
Harpephyllum afrum
SA tree no: 361
English: Wild Plum, Sour Plum, Kwa-Zulu-Natal Plum, Kaffir Plum, Kaffir Date
Afrikaans: Wildepruim, Suurbessie, Gwenjabessie, Suurpruim, Essenhout, Pruim
Xhosa: Umgwenya, Umgwenyobomvu, Ichanti-lomlambo, Isacoyi
Zulu: umgwenye, Umganu
N. Sotho: Motseana, Mothêkêlê, Mmedibibi
Swati: Umgwenya, Umgwenye
Tsonga: Nhlampfu
Venda: Mutshwinyane
Historical scientific names: Harpephyllum caffrum, Spondias caffra, Tapirira afra, Harpephyllum serratum, Odina afra, Spondias falcata
Harpephyllum afrum, widely known as the Wild Plum or Sour Plum, is an attractive and robust evergreen to semi-deciduous tree native to Southern Africa. It is highly valued for its dense, rounded crown, which provides excellent shade, and its eye-catching compound leaves that emerge with a reddish flush before maturing to a glossy dark green.
The tree produces small, inconspicuous creamy-white flowers that are followed by abundant clusters of bright red, plum-like fruits. These fruits, though tart, are edible and a favourite for both humans and wildlife, making it a prominent feature in indigenous landscapes.
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Distinguishing features:
Compound leaves with distinctive sickle-shaped (falcate) leaflets, often with a reddish tint on new growth and sometimes turning bright red before falling.
Small, creamy-white or yellowish-green flowers borne in dense, branching panicles, with male and female flowers on separate trees (dioecious).
Abundant, oval to oblong, plum-like fruits that ripen to a vibrant red colour, containing a single large, flattened stone.
Dark grey to brown, rough bark that may be fissured and sometimes mottled with lichens.
A naturally dense, rounded crown, making it an excellent shade tree.
Overall appearance:
Harpephyllum afrum is a medium to large evergreen tree, although it can be semi-deciduous in drier or colder conditions. It typically forms a thick, rounded, and dense crown, with branches that tend to curve upwards and leaves crowded towards their ends. It is a sturdy, well-shaped tree, popular in gardens and as a street tree.
Height:
This tree generally grows to a height of 6 to 15 metres, but exceptionally large specimens in ideal forest conditions can reach up to 20-35 metres.
Width:
It develops a broad, spreading crown that can reach a width of 8 to 12 metres, providing ample shade.
Leaves:
The leaves are spirally arranged and compound (imparipinnate), consisting of 4 to 8 pairs of opposite leaflets plus a terminal one, making 9 to 17 leaflets in total. The leaflets are shiny dark green and glossy above, paler below, and are characteristically sickle-shaped (falcate), measuring 4-10 cm long. New growth often emerges with a distinctive reddish or pinkish hue, and individual leaflets may turn bright red before falling, contributing to its "evergreen" yet colourful nature.
Flowers:
The flowers are small, inconspicuous, and generally creamy-white or yellowish-green, about 3-4 mm in diameter. They are borne in dense, branched sprays or panicles near the ends of the branches. Harpephyllum afrum is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are on separate trees.
Flowering season:
The tree flowers throughout the South African summer, typically from October to February.
Fruits:
The fruits are a highlight of the tree. They are oval to oblong, fleshy drupes, resembling small plums, about 2-3 cm long. They are thinly-fleshed, emerge green, and ripen to a brilliant glossy red colour, often by autumn (December to April). Each fruit contains a single, large, flattened, hard stone (pyrene). The fruits are sour but edible.
Seeds:
The seed is enclosed within the hard, bony, flattened stone (pyrene) found inside the fleshy fruit. Seeds germinate well after the fruit pulp is removed.
Bark:
The bark is dark grey to brown, initially smoothish on young trees but becoming rough, fissured, and sometimes mottled with lichens as the tree matures. Older trees can develop buttressed bases in forest environments.
Stems:
The main stem is often clean and straight. Branches curve upwards, and branchlets can have thickened endings. Broken parts of the stem may exude sap.
Wood:
The wood is pale reddish, hard, and quite heavy. It polishes well and has been used for general-purpose timber, furniture, beams, and carvings. However, it is not considered highly durable for external use.
Roots:
It has a strong, non-invasive root system. In forest environments, large roots may develop on the surface of the forest floor, and the base may be buttressed.
Soil type:
This tree is adaptable and can grow in various soil types, including sandy and loamy soils. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil, ideally rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential.
Aspect:
It thrives in full sun but can tolerate some semi-shade, particularly in warmer climates. Young plants are sensitive to frost and need protection, but mature trees are moderately frost-hardy, although they may experience some leaf drop in cold conditions. It is also tolerant of coastal winds and saline conditions.
Edibility:
The fruits are edible and widely consumed by humans. They have a tart, sour taste but are popular fresh or used for making jams, jellies, juices, and even a type of rosé wine. The kernels within the seeds are also edible.
Toxicity:
Harpephyllum afrum is not considered toxic to humans. Its fruit is a popular edible wild fruit. While the Anacardiaceae family does contain some toxic species (e.g., Smodingium argutum - the Rainbow Leaf), Harpephyllum afrum is not among them. However, as with any plant, excessive consumption of any part is not advised.
Uses:
Food: Fruits are eaten fresh, used for jams, jellies, juice, and traditional alcoholic beverages.
Timber: The wood is used for furniture, beams, general carpentry, wagon-making, and curios.
Medicinal: The bark is traditionally used to treat various ailments, including acne, eczema, sprains, bone fractures, headaches, and as a blood purifier. Root decoctions are also used.
Ornamental: Excellent as a shade tree, street tree, or for screening and windbreaks in gardens and parks due to its attractive foliage and fruit.
Dye: The bark yields a mauve or pink dye.
Ecological Restoration: Useful for revegetation projects, especially in coastal areas.
Ecology:
Harpephyllum afrum is ecologically significant. Its bright red, fleshy fruits are highly favoured by a wide range of frugivorous birds (e.g., Cape Parrots, Louries, Starlings, Mousebirds, Bulbuls, Barbets, African Green Pigeons, Trumpeter Hornbills) and mammals (e.g., Monkeys, Baboons, Bushbabies, Bushbuck, Fruit Bats, Bushpigs), aiding in seed dispersal. It is also a vital larval host plant for several butterfly and moth species, including the Common Hairtail butterfly (Anthene definita) and various Charaxes species (e.g., Lesser Canna, Natal Acraea). Hollows in old trunks are used by birds for breeding.
Distribution and habitat:
This tree is endemic to Southern Africa, with a wide distribution from the Eastern Cape northwards through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, into eSwatini (Swaziland), southern Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. It primarily occurs in coastal and evergreen forests, riverine fringes, bushveld, and sometimes on rocky ridges or hill slopes, generally at altitudes from 0 to 1400 metres. It is particularly common in the coastal forests of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Derivation of name:
Harpephyllum: The genus name is derived from the Greek words "harpe" (meaning "sickle") and "phyllon" (meaning "leaf"), referring to the often sickle-shaped (falcate) leaflets of the compound leaves.
caffrum: The specific epithet is Latin and refers to its place of origin, specifically the Eastern Cape region of Africa, historically known as "Kaffraria." The more acceptable afrum is now used.
Historical aspects:
Harpephyllum afrum has a long and valued history among indigenous communities in Southern Africa. Its fruits have served as a traditional food source for centuries, and various parts of the tree have been integral to traditional medicinal practices, including for treating skin ailments and bone fractures. The timber has also been historically used for crafting and construction. Its ecological importance and aesthetic appeal have led to its continued use and cultivation in modern times. Recent interest in its bark for traditional medicine has raised some conservation concerns in localized areas, leading to monitoring efforts, though the species is currently listed as Least Concern.
Interesting facts:
The tree's scientific name, Harpephyllum afrum, points to its "sickle-shaped leaves" and its origin in the Eastern Cape region.
Its fruits, while sour, are packed with flavour and can be made into delicious jams, jellies, and even a unique rosé wine!
New leaves emerge with a beautiful reddish or pinkish flush, adding a stunning splash of colour to the tree's overall appearance.
It's a fantastic tree for attracting wildlife, with its juicy red fruits being a favourite snack for a wide variety of birds and monkeys.
This tree is also a vital host plant for the caterpillars of several butterfly species, including the charismatic Charaxes butterflies!
Growing tips:
Light: Prefers full sun but can tolerate light semi-shade, especially in very hot climates.
Soil: Adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils, including sandy loams. Improve heavy clay soils with compost and grit to ensure good drainage.
Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods and for the first 2-3 years after planting, to ensure good establishment. Once mature, it is moderately drought-tolerant.
Frost Protection: Young trees are sensitive to frost and should be protected during cold spells. Mature trees are more resilient but may still experience some leaf damage in severe frost. Planting in spring or early summer gives young trees time to establish before winter.
Propagation: Easily propagated from fresh seeds. Clean the seeds thoroughly to remove all fruit pulp, then sow in a well-drained seedling mix. Germination can take 2-4 months. Propagation from semi-hardwood cuttings and truncheons is also successful.
Growth Rate: Has a moderate to fast growth rate under good conditions.
Pruning: Prune to shape the tree, remove dead or damaged branches, or lift the canopy for clearance. It responds well to pruning.
Placement: Ideal as a specimen tree, shade tree, or for screening and windbreaks in medium to large gardens. It's also well-suited for street planting and coastal gardens due to its tolerance of wind and salt spray.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Semi-deciduous, evergreen or tree
Plant family:
Anacardiaceae (Greek plant name) - Order: Sapindales