Sand apple, Dwarf mabolo

A tropical plant. It grows amongst rocks and in sand and clay soils. It can be in seasonally flooded grassland. It grows between 900-1,200 m above sea level. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,200-1,600 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in poor savannah soils.

Also known as:

Axani, Ekokofi, Hachapasi, Ikia, Imvimbandhlebe, Isagogwane, Isitshapasi, Itchwakudi, Kapundubusushi, Mbola-oa-fase, Mmola, Molahatsia, Mubulu, Muchakatapasi, Muchkatapasi, Muhachapasi, Muhacha kwa pasi, Ncha, Nonsani, Nsansi, Nsudi nfuni, Ntadapalivu, Omukokofi, Sagogwane, Salaki, Salakia, Salakakizu, Shashi, Tamelassoli, Tshivhulafhasi, Tshivhulana, Umbula, Umkhuna, Umvalandhlebe

Synonyms

Ferolia capensis (Harv.) Kuntze

Parinari capensis var. latifolia Oliv.

Parinari capensis subsp. latifolia (Oliv.) R. A. Graham

Parinari curatellifolia var. fruticulosa Mildbr.

Parinari latifolia (Oliv.) Exell

Parinari pumila Mildbr.

Edible Portion

Seeds, Fruit, Drink

Where does Sand apple grow?

Found in: Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 50 Parinari species. They grow in the tropics.

Growing Sand apple, Dwarf mabolo

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seeds. The ripe fruit are buried and the flesh allowed to rot,. Then the seed is put in boiling water that is then allowed to cool and soak for 12 hours. Root suckers can also be used.

Edible Uses: The sweet outer layer of the fruit is eaten. It is buried in the sand to become ready to eat. It can be dried and eaten as a soft cake. It is also used to make beer. Juice of the fruit can be drunk fresh or boiled to a firm consistency. The crushed kernels are eaten as a relish with meat.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part	Energy (kcal)	Protein (g)	Iron (mg)	Vitamin A (ug)	Vitamin c (mg)	Zinc (mg)	% Water
Nuts	698	26.3	4.7	-	-	3.7	1.9

References

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World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew