Phyllogeiton discolor (syn. Berchemia discolor), known as bird plum or brown ivory in English, is a tree native to southern and eastern Africa including Madagascar. It is a broadleaf tree growing to .

The fruits, resembling dates, are edible with sweet flesh surrounding 1-2 flat seeds. They are occasionally sold in local markets, eaten fresh, or dried and pounded and then added to pearl millet pap for their sweet flavour. Animals such as monkeys, baboons and birds also eat them.

Phyllogeiton discolor

The leaves are eaten by elephants, giraffe and several antelopes, as well as livestock, such that many trees exhibit a distinct browse line. The wood is hard and attractive, suitable for furniture, charcoal, building material, beehives, crafts, and things like tool handles and pestles.

Phyllogeiton discolor

Phyllogeiton discolor is also used as a dye, fodder, ornamental tree and as herbal medicine to treat several human and animal diseases and ailments. For instance, the Himba people cook the bark against nausea and diarrhoea.

Phyllogeiton discolor

References

Rhamnaceae

Flora of Angola

Flora of Ethiopia

Flora of Madagascar

Flora of Namibia

Flora of Somalia

Flora of the Northern Provinces

Flora of Africa

Flora of Tanzania

Flora of Yemen

Fruits originating in Africa

Tropical fruit

Plants described in 1868

Flora of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests