Family SAPOTACEAE
Genus Mimusops
Species zeyheri
SA Plant Number 585
Basionym Mimusops zeyheri

Mimusops zeyheri is a semi-hardy, drought resistant, fairly fast growing decorative tree that has a spreading, densely rounded, evergreen crown and deeply grooved bark. Young leaves are rust-coloured and have a velvety under surface.

Sweetly scented creamy-white flowers are borne in clusters in leaf axils from October to February. The shiny yellow-orange fruit has a brittle skin and orangey-yellow flesh that is tasty and high in vitamin C.

The fruit attracts birds including Barbets, Bulbuls, Louries, Mousebirds and Rameron Pigeons. The larvae of the Boisduval’s False Acraea and the Pied False Acraea butterfly feed on the tree.

Grow in sun or shade.

Size 3 to 11m

Butterflies: The larvae of the Boisduval’s False Acraea and the Pied False Acraea butterfly feed on the tree.

Birds: The fruit attracts birds including Barbets, Bulbuls, Louries, Mousebirds and Rameron Pigeons.

Limpopo, North West Province, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal

Natural Habitat Bushveld, Forest Margins, Forested Ravines, Rocky Outcrops  

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Hardiness - Frost: Fairly Hardy, Hardiness - Frost: Protect when young, Plant Type: Tree - Large, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Shade, Position: Sun - Full, Soil: Loamy - Compost rich Soil, Soil: Well-drained, Edible: Edible fruit, Garden Uses: Bird Friendly, Garden Uses: Butterfly Host, Garden Uses: Local to Gauteng, Garden Uses: Shade, Garden Uses: Specimen, Hardiness - Drought: Drought Resistant, Flower colour: White - Cream, Garden type: Bushveld, Garden type: River-side and Stream-side Gardens, Garden type: Rocky outcrop and Koppie Gardens,

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