Strychnos pungens facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Strychnos pungens
Scientific classification
Genus:	Strychnos
Species:	pungens

Strychnos pungens, also known as the spine-leaved monkey-orange, is a fascinating tree found in parts of Africa. It belongs to a plant family called Loganiaceae. This tree usually grows to about 5 meters (16 feet) tall. You can often find it in woodlands or rocky areas. Its branches are short and stiff, and its leaves are smooth, firm, and have a sharp, spine-like tip. This tree grows naturally in South Africa, especially around the Witwatersrand and Magaliesberg areas. It also grows further north in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

About the Fruit

The fruit of the Strychnos pungens tree is quite large, often about 120 millimeters (almost 5 inches) across. It's round and has a smooth, hard shell. When it's not ripe, the fruit is bluish-green. As it ripens, it turns a bright yellow color. The soft inside part of the ripe fruit is full of citric acid, which gives it a tangy taste. This pulp is safe to eat. However, it's important to know that the seeds inside the fruit are a little bit poisonous. This tree is related to another tree called Strychnos nux-vomica, which is known for a substance called strychnine.

Images for kids

• 

  bark

• 

  foliage

• 

  flowers

• 

  fruit

See also

In Spanish: Strychnos pungens para niños