Calodendrum capense fruit

The fruit of Calodendrum capense is nearly spherical, 3,5 cm in diameter. It is five-lobed, the longitudinal seams conspicuous on the knobbly surface. The common name of Cape chestnut was earned by the similarity of the fruit to the edible, exotic chestnut.

The green C. capense fruit surface becomes brown and woody upon ripening. The tiny, yellowish calyx of the flower and now also of the fruit is star-shaped, still visible at the base of the fruit in picture (on top). Fruits are found on these trees from midsummer to late autumn when they dehisce, freeing the large, smooth, black seeds. The seeds are eaten by monkeys and birds.

The tree is easily propagated from seed and valued as a garden subject. Dont plant one where kudus are free to browse at night.

The hard wood is used as timber (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com).