Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo) Vangueria infausta
Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo) (Vangueria infausta) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Rubiaceae family, native to Eastern and southern Africa (Kenya to the Eastern Cape). It grows 3–7 m (10–23 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Mature height | 3–7 m (10–23 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (apple-flavoured pulp) |
| Native to | Eastern and southern Africa (Kenya to the Eastern Cape) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇰🇪 Kenya |
Is Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo) 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 Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo)
- How far apart should I plant Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo)?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo) flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo) 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 Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wild medlar (mmilo, umviyo). 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
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Lost Crops of Africa, vol. I Grains (1996), II Vegetables (2006), III Fruits (2008), National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington DC
Notes and assumptions
- A savanna plant of hot summers and a long dry season; it wants sharp drainage and resents cold, wet winters.
- A small, soft-hairy tree of rocky hills with big velvety leaves; brown, round fruits ripen in late summer and autumn. Folklore in several southern African cultures says it is bad luck to burn the wood (grade D, the source of the epithet infausta, "unlucky").
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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