Wildflower Nursery

Indigenous Plants for a Sustainable Future

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Grassland Biome Experts
    • Who We Work With
    • Services and Products
    • Project Portfolio
  • Indigenous Library
  • Articles
  • e-Newsletter
  • Contact

Mimusops zeyheri

by Johan Wentzel

Mimusops zeyheri
Common Name
Transvaal red milkwood
Plant Type
Tree
Mimusops zeyherii is a fairly hardy, medium, spreading evergreen tree with dark leathery leaves. It is a very decorative tree for a larger garden. Protect from frost when young.
Plant Description

Mimusops zeyheri can range from a low-branching shrub, reaching a height of 2 m, to a tall tree with a wide, dense, rounded crown that can reach a height of 10 m, depending on the habitat.  Ideally suited to summer rainfall areas that have little or no frost in winter, the Transvaal red milkwood is found in the northern provinces of South Africa.

The dark, glossy foliage is very attractive and young leaves are rust-coloured with a velvety under surface.  Small, sweetly scented white flowers are borne from October to February, followed by oval fruits.  These ripen to a bright yellow-orange colour.  The fruit contains a high level of Vitamin C and is sweet. Mimusops zeyheri  attracts butterflies and birds to the garden with its flowers and fruit.

Mimusops zeyheri has a fairly compact root system and is drought hardy.  Once mature, the tree is able to withstand mild frost conditions, but it is tender when young.  The tree has the potential to be a lovely shade provider in a large garden, but can also be utilised as a container plant and is a suitable bonsai subject.

Mimusops zeyheri is a very decorative tree for a larger garden. Protect from frost when young.

You may find stock of this plant at Random Harvest.

Afrikaanse Naam
Moepel
Hardiness
Hardy
Position
Sun
Water Requirements
Water wise
Evergreen
Evergreen
Growth Rate
Fast
Flowering Time
Summer
Flower Colour
Cream
Shape
Spreading
Soil
Loam
Plant Size
7m
Region
Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West
Habitat
Riverine, Rocky outcrops
Grown by Wildflower Nursery
Yes
  • Mimusops zeyheri
  • Mimusops zeyheri

Trackbacks

  1. Granny's Kitchen - Wildflower Nursery says:
    2017-03-15 at 9:00 am

    […] mentioning that is also a local Highveld/Savannah inhabitant, namely the Tranvaal red milkwood (Mimusops zeyherii). The fruits are really very tasty and are very rich in vitamin […]

Contact Us

Johan – 082 801 1741
[email protected]

Annette – 082 908 6591
[email protected]

Subscribe to our Monthly e-Newsletter

* indicates required

Indigenous Plant Palette Selector

Use the Indigenous Plant Palette Selector to create a list of plants for your specific needs.

Search the Plant Database

Copyright © 2025 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · Powered by ITM Web Development · Log in