Bristly Sourberry

hispidula: minutely hispid, with rough, bristly hairs

Shrub or small tree. Bark greyish, branches with scattered pale lenticels, armed with slender, axillary spines, up to 4 cm, the stem often spiny near the base. Leaves obovate to broadly elliptic, small, usually c. 2 cm, dull green with bristly hairs on both surfaces and around the margin; translucent gland-dots visible when held against the light; margins entire or scalloped. Flowers small, greenish, stamens numerous. Fruit subspherical, fleshy, 1-2 cm in diameter, bristly, cupped by the small calyx lobes; bright red when ripe, edible.

Zimbabwe, Mozambique