Erythrophysa transvaalensis fruit

The fruit of Erythrophysa transvaalensis is an inflated capsule, giving rise to the Afrikaans name of rooiklapperbos.

The bladder-like fruit is three-angled, in picture wrinkled and pleated longitudinally along the tops of the three chambers. The red colouring arrives later, partly or totally replacing the original pale green. The fruit becomes about 8 cm long and 5 cm wide. It is seen on the tree from mid-spring through summer.

The generic name, Erythrophysa, is derived from the Greek word erythros meaning red, and physa meaning bag. The photo was taken in January.

Three slightly flattened, purplish black seeds grow in each compartment of the fruit. The attractive seeds are about 2 cm in diameter, used as beads by some indigenous populations. Seeds germinate easily, the plant a good garden subject (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com).