Manochlamys albicans fruit

The baconbush, as Manochlamys albicans is sometimes known, bears erect cylinders of densely stacked, fleshy fruit. Seen here in the Goegap Nature Reserve in early August, the fruits are still green. They grow from tiny flowers clustered near branch-tips, turning yellow when ripe. By then they exude a melon aroma.

The fruits (as well as all plant parts) are used as soap. Rub it in the hands and foam will appear. Another common name for the plant is Boesmanseep (San soap) (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000; iNaturalist).