Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha) Parinari curatellifolia
Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha) (Parinari curatellifolia) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Chrysobalanaceae family, native to Miombo woodland and savanna across tropical Africa to Limpopo. It grows 8–15 m (26–49 ft) tall and 8–14 m (26–46 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -1 °C (30 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
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Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Chrysobalanaceae |
| Mature height | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–14 m (26–46 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -1 °C (30 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (sweet, mealy), seed kernels |
| Native to | Miombo woodland and savanna across tropical Africa to Limpopo |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇳🇬 Nigeria |
Is Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha) 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 Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha)
- How far apart should I plant Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha)?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–14 m (26–46 ft).
- Does Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha)?
- It tolerates about -1 °C (30 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha) flower?
- From about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha) 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 Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mobola plum (hissing tree, muhacha). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
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.
- A wide, mushroom-crowned tree often left standing in fields. In Zimbabwe the muhacha is respected, and traditional courts were held beneath it (history). The name "hissing tree" comes from the sound of the green wood on a fire.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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