Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) Uapaca kirkiana
Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) (Uapaca kirkiana) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Phyllanthaceae family, native to Miombo woodland of south-central Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, DR Congo, Tanzania). It grows 5–12 m (16–39 ft) tall and 5–9 m (16–30 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -1 °C (30 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
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Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Phyllanthaceae |
| Mature height | 5–12 m (16–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–9 m (16–30 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -1 °C (30 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (sweet, pear-flavoured pulp) |
| Native to | Miombo woodland of south-central Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, DR Congo, Tanzania) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇰🇪 Kenya |
Is Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo)
- How far apart should I plant Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo)?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–9 m (16–30 ft).
- Does Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo)?
- It tolerates about -1 °C (30 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) flower?
- From about October for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Lost Crops of Africa, vol. I Grains (1996), II Vegetables (2006), III Fruits (2008), National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington DC
- Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide, World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Nairobi
Notes and assumptions
- A savanna plant of hot summers and a long dry season; it wants sharp drainage and resents cold, wet winters.
- Large, leathery leaves crowded at the branch tips; round, russet fruits sold by the bucket along Zambian and Zimbabwean roads in the early rains. Depends on root fungi (mycorrhiza) of miombo soils, so it is hard to grow elsewhere.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Amla (Indian gooseberry) Phyllanthus emblica
- Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) Phyllanthus acidus
- Burmese grape (ma-fai) Baccaurea ramiflora
- Bignay (mao luang) Antidesma bunius
- Katuk (sweet leaf, phak wan ban) Breynia androgyna
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica