Umthofu

infausta: bad luck or disastrous; probably referring to the traditional superstitions involved with this tree.

Small deciduous tree. Young branches and leaves velvety hairy. Flowers in branched, densely hairy inflorescences, greenish-yellow creamy-white, appearing before the leaves are fully developed. Fruits in pairs along the branches, held below the leaves, round, up to 45 mm, green to yellowish brown when ripe. The fruits are edible.

Common

From Rwanda and Tanzania to KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, South Africa