505 

J. Hortl. Sci. 

Vol. 17(2) : 505-519, 2022 

 

 Original Research Paper  
 

Taxonomic revision of the cultivated species of Mimusops (Sapotaceae) 

in Egypt, with new records 

Azza El-Hadidy
1
, Rim Hamdy

2
* and Gehad Abd El-Mohsen

3
 

1,2
 Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt 

3
Phytochemistry Lab, Applied Research Center for Medicinal Plant (NODCAR), Giza 12561, Egypt. 

*Corresponding author Email : rimhamdy@yahoo.com/ rhamdy@sci.cu.edu.eg 

 

ABSTRACT 

During the process of updating horticultural records of this genus in Egypt, five problems 

were identified: lack of publications, lack of clarity between species, numerous errors of 

identifications, loss of earlier documented records of identity, as well as, the introduction and 

cultivation of new plants during the 19th Century added to the complexity of the problem. In 

this study, the taxonomic aspects of genus Mimusops, were thoroughly studied to identify the 

most reliable characters for taxon delimitation. Our assessment was based on morphological 

characters representing habit, leaves, petioles, flowering pedicels, buds, floral parts, fruit and 

seed. Fieldwork have revealed the presence of four species, of which Mimusops kummel and 

M. zeyheri are new records. The latter species is represented in Egypt by M. zeyheri var. 

laurifolia. This variety has been neglected by many authors. Additionally, Mimusops elengi 

L. was believed to be cultivated in Egypt, but no materials have been encountered that could 

confirm it. The specimens earlier identified as M. elengi actually belong either to M. kummel 

or to M. laurifolia. A detailed description of the genus and species with photographs, an 

identification key, and synonymy for each taxon are provided. 

Keywords : Cultivated - species, new records, Mimusops, Sapotoideae, Sapoteae, Taxonomy 
 

INTRODUCTION 

Sapotaceae Juss. (1789) is a well-marked family 

characterized by its well-developed system of latex; 

two-armed, unicellular trichomes; often coppery leaves 

beneath; axillary, ramiflorous or cauliflorous 

inflorescence; simple or complex flower structure; 

oppositipetalous stamens; and sometimes with 

staminodes. It is a woody tropical and subtropical 

family, and is represented by 59 genera with 1250 

species, of worldwide distribution. [Pennington, 1991; 

Govaerts et al., 2001; Swenson et al., 2007; Gautier 

et al. 2013]. Sapotaceae is a member of Ericales 

(APG III, 2009), sister to Ebenaceae and Primulaceae 

(Rose et al. 2018). 

Recent molecular analyses (Swenson & Anderberg, 

2005; Smedmark et al., 2006), place Mimusops L. in 

the tribe Sapoteae (=Mimusopeae sensu Pennington, 

1991) of subfamily Sapotoideae; while Sapoteae s.str. 

only includes subtribe Mimusopinae and Manilkarinae 

(with the exception of Northia) proposed earlier by 

Pennington (1991). Moreover, Sapoteae has been 

circumscribed as monophyletic, with the monophyletic 

Mimusops (Smedmark et al., 2006, Gautier et al., 

2013). Mimusops is a palaeotropical genus (with 

exception of M. elengi in Australia), with 47 species 

(Govaerts et al., 2001). Members of Mimusops are 

unarmed trees and shrubs, and diagnosed by minute 

caducous stipules; complex flower structure with 

biseriate calyx of 4 sepals each; corolla-lobes 8, 

always 3-segmented (one erect median clasping the 

opposing stamen and two laterals attached dorsally); 

stamens 8, in one whorl; staminodes 8 , well 

developed, alternating with the stamens, hairy, inflexed 

and often forming a sheath round the gynoecium; 

ovary 8-loculed; fruit 1-6-seeded; seeds generally with 

shiny brown testa, and with a small, basal to basi- 

ventral seed-scar. In ancient Egypt, Mimusops 

laurifolia was considered as a sacred tree. The twigs 

were used at funerals and have been found in the 

Egyptian tombs with mummies. In the tomb of Djoser 

(3rd Dynasty, Saqqara), the fruits of Persea were 

deposited as offerings; while in the tomb of 

Tutankhamun (18th Dynasty, Luxor), the leaves and 

twigs were used in making funerary garlands and floral 
 

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bouquets (Täckholm, 1951; Darby et al., 1977; Friis 

1981). 

For Egypt, a relatively few short accounts of 

Mimusops have been published (Bircher, 1960; Diwan 

et al., 2004; Hamdy et al., 2007; Youssef et al., 2012; 

Youssef & Hamdy, 2013; Gamal, 2018). Table (1) 

summarizes the available information about the genus 

in Egypt. It is clear that different authors have treated 

differently the cultivated species. This has led to a 

considerable confusion in species identifications. The 

introduction and cultivation of new plants in Egypt 

during 19th Century has added to the complexity of 

this problem. 

Schweinfurth (1883) recorded one species: Mimusops 

schimperi Hoscht. ex A. Rich. [currently treated as 

M. laurifolia (Forssk.)Friis] from Egyptian tombs. He 

identified the evergreen folded leaves frequently found 

with Egyptian mummies. Later, M. laurifolia has 

appeared regularly in the Egyptian texts. 

Delchevalerie (1899) and Sickenberger (1901) reported 

the occurrence of M. elengi L. in the gardens of El 

Rhodah and Cairo respectively. This has been followed 

by later investigators and has appeared regularly in 

the Egyptian literature (Bircher, 1960; Diwan et al. 

2004; Hamdy et al. 2007; Hamdy, 2010; Youssef & 

Hamdy, 2013). In the study of the Gardens of the 

Hesperides, Bircher (1960) cultivated eleven species 

of Mimusops s.l. in Al-Saff Garden. This includes 

species with 3-merous flowers (now included in 

Manilkarinae); while only three are conspecific to 

Mimusops. These are: M. elengi, M. caffra (a new 

addition), and M. laurifolia (=M. schimperi). She 

stated that all the species were cultivated in her garden. 

Today, Al-Saff Garden has been vanished due to 

urbanization and land degradation. Recently in Diwan 

et al. (2004), the number of species had been reverted 

to only two (M. caffra and M. elengi) with short notes 

in arabic. Hamdy et al. (2007) listed the plant 

distribution of three species in three historic gardens 

in Egypt (Zohriya, Orman, and Zoo). They reported 

Mimusops elengi, M. laurifolia, and M. caffra in 

Orman; M. elengi and M. laurifolia in Zohriya; and 

M. laurifolia in the Zoological Garden. Hamdy (2010) 

reported three species in Aswan, of which Mimusops 

kummel Bruce ex A.DC. had been added. However, 

M. kummel sensu Hamdy was actually M. laurifolia. 

Both of Youssef et al. (2012) and Youssef & Hamdy 

(2013) listed three species which were previously 

recorded; while Gamal (2018) only recorded M. 

laurifolia. 

The aim of the present study is to update the list of 

the cultivated species of the genus Mimusops in Egypt; 

to provide an identification key for these species; to 

study thoroughly the taxonomic parameters for taxon 

delimitation; and to give a detailed description with 

photographs, and synonyms for each taxon. These data 

are presented for the first time. 

Table 1 : Historical review of Mimusops species cultivated in Egypt. (+=present, -=absent, ×=present 

but cited under a synonym, *= a new record). 
 

 

 

 

 
Taxa 

S
c
h

w
e
in

fu
rt

h
 (

1
8
8
3
) 

D
e
lc

h
e
v

e
ra

le
ri

e
 (

1
8
9
9
) 

S
ic

k
e
n

b
e
rg

e
r 

(1
9
0
1
) 

T
ä
c
k

h
o

lm
 (

1
9
5
1
) 

B
ir

c
h

e
r 

(1
9
6
0
) 

D
iw

a
n

 e
t 

a
l.
 

(2
0
0
4
) 

H
a
m

d
y

 e
t 

a
l.

 (
2
0
0
7
) 

H
a
m

d
y

 (
2
0
1
0
) 

Y
o

u
ss

e
f 

e
t 

a
l.

 (
2
0
1
2
) 

 

Y
o

u
ss

e
f 

&
 H

a
m

d
y

 (
2
0
1
3
) 

 

G
a
m

a
l 

(2
0
1
8
) 

 

P
re

se
n

t 
st

u
d

y
 (

2
0
2
0
) 

M. elengi L. - + + - + + + + + + - - 

M. caffra E. Mey. ex A.DC. - - - - + + + + + + - + 

M. kummel Bruce ex A.DC. - - - - - - - - - - - * 

M. laurifolia (Forssk.)Friis × - - × × - + × + + + + 

M. zeyheri Sond. var. 

laurifolia Engl. 
- - - - - - - - - - - * 

 1 1 1 1 3 2 3 3 3 3 1 4 



Taxonomic revision of the cultivated species of Mimusops 

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Vol. 17(2) : 505-519, 2022 

 

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

In this study, morphological data were scored from 

examination of Egyptian herbarium specimens, digital 

photographs of the authentic material kept in BM, BR, 

C, FT, K and LG; examination of fresh material 

collected during conducted investigations; and the 

contribution sources of Heine (1963), Meeuse (1963), 

Hemsley (1968), Friis (1981, 2003, 2006), Kupicha 

(1983), Pennington (1991) and Govaerts et al. (2001). 

The herbarium study was based on the examination 

of specimens kept in the major Egyptian herbaria 

(CAI, CAIM, MAZHAR, Orman, and Aswan) 

[acronyms follow Holmgren et al., 1990]. 

Living material included those collected during 

investigations in different botanical garden of Cairo 

[Egyptian Museum, El-Nahr and El-Zohriya]; Giza 

[National Gene Bank (NGB), Mazhar, Orman, and the 

Zoological gardens]; and Aswan [Plant Island]. These 

investigations were performed to obtain fresh material 

for the in vivo study of the vegetative, floral, and fruit 

characters; for preparing exsiccate; and to make field 

observation in several localities. Voucher specimens 

have been deposited in the Cairo University Herbarium 

(CAI). The examined representative specimens were 

geographically arranged according to the 

phytogeographical territories of Egypt proposed by El 

Hadidi (2000: 14-22). Localities and collectors are 

given in Appendix 1. 

For each species, nomenclature, authentic type 

specimens and synonyms are given with photographs 

of fresh material, as well as, phenology using the 

information from herbarium labels and investigations. 

Type and authentic material seen by the authors are 

followed by (!). Citation of the authors follows 

Brummitt and Powel (1992). 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

I. The genus Mimusops L. in Egypt 

The present work resulted in a total number of four 

cultivated species, of which Mimusops kummel Bruce 

ex A.DC. and M. zeyheri Sond. are new additions. 

Today, both are only cultivated in El-Zohriya Garden. 

This is attributed to the introduction and cultivation 

of new plants in our Egyptian gardens. Mimusops 

zeyheri is a polymorphic taxon, in which two varieties 

are currently accepted: var. zeyheri and var. laurifolia 

Engl. (Engler, 1904). The relationship of staminode 

length to its stamens  and corolla lobes was 

successfully employed for the authors to recognize M. 

zeyheri var. laurifolia Engl. in Egypt. All herbarium 

specimens, identified by earlier investigators as M. 

elengi have been re- identified either as M. laurifolia 

or as M. kummel. Therefore, the occurrence of M. 

elengi in Egypt has not been supported by this 

research. 

II. Taxonomy 

Mimusops L., Sp. Pl., ed., 1: 349 (1753) - Gen. Pl., 

ed.5, 165 (1754). 

Synonyms: 

Elengi Adans., Fam. Pl.2: 166 (1763). 

Binectaria Forssk., Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. 82 (1775). 

Type: B. laurifolia Forssk. 

Phlebolithis Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 1:201 (1788). 

Type: P. indica Gaertn. 

Imbricaria Comm. ex Juss., Gen. Pl. 152 (1789). 

Type: I. barbonica J.F.Gmel. 

Radia Noronha, Verh. Batav. Genootsch. Kunsten 

5(4):3 (1790). “nom. nud. 

Mimusops sect. Quaternaria A.DC.in DC., Prodr. 8: 

202 (1844). 

Mimusops sect. Imbricaria (Comm. ex Juss.) Hartog, 

J. Bot.17: 358 (1879). 

Semicipium Pierre, Not. Bot. 10 (1890). 

Type: S. boivinii Hartog ex Pierre. 

Kaukenia Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2:406 (1891). 

Mimusops subgenus Imbricaria (Comm. ex Juss.) 

Engl. in Engl. & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(1):142 

(1891). 

Description : Unarmed trees or shrubs, with abundant 

to scarce milky latex. Young vegetative parts 

commonly adpressed-pubescent with ferruginous, 

brownish, cinereous or yellowish indumentum, later 

glabrous or glabrescent. Leaves thinly to firmly 

coriaceous, simple, alternate or spirally arranged, 

clustered at the end of branches or not, with 

brochidodromous venation, and with ± thickened paler 

margin; petiolate or subsessile; stipules minute and 

caducous. Flowers bisexual actinomorphic, 1-4(-8), 

borne in the axils of persistent or fallen leaves, 

sometimes on brachyblasts (short, stout spur shoots), 

pedicelled; pedicel shorter to longer than the petiole, 

not or slightly accrescent in fruit, adpressed-pubescent. 

Calyx of 8 sepals; sepals in two dissimilar whorls of 



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4, free or slightly connate at base, persistent, not or 

slightly accrescent in fruit, hairy on both surfaces but 

less internally; outer sepals valvate; inner narrower, 

and paler in colour. Corolla gamopetalous, white, 

cream, yellowish, brownish or pink, frequently as long 

as calyx or slightly longer, rarely shorter; corolla-tube 

frequently much shorter than the lobes; corolla-lobes 

8, 3-segmented; median segment entire, erect and 

clasping the stamen, sometimes incurved against the 

gynoecium; the two lateral segments shorter to longer 

than the median segment, entire (undivided) or further 

divided. Stamens 8, opposite to the corolla lobes, in 

one whorl, inserted at the top of the corolla-tube and 

adnate to it; anthers relatively large, extrorse, 

apiculate, frequently hairy and longer than the 

filaments; filaments free or partly fused with the 

staminodes; staminodes 8, well developed, alternate 

with the stamens, simple, with entire or dentate apex, 

commonly inflexed and connivent to form a conical 

sheath concealing the gynoecium, densely pilose 

dorsally and along margins. Ovary ovoid to globose 

or cylindrical, hairy, 8-loculed; locules uniovulate; 

style slender, exserted from the floral parts or not, 

glabrous or with few scattered hairs. Fruit indehiscent, 

baccate, fleshy to rather leathery, ovoid to ellipsoid 

or globose, with persistent calyx at the base and 

remnants of the style at the apex, 1-6-seeded; seeds 

laterally compressed, with hard and shining testa; 

attachment scar small, basal or basi-ventral, circular 

or ellipsoid; embryo with copious endosperm, and thin 

foliaceous cotyledons. 

A paleotropical genus, with the exception of M. elengi 

in Australia. It comprises 47 species, with 25 species 

in Africa; 15 in Madagascar and the Comoros; 3 in 

the Mascarenes; one in Seychelles; and 3 in the Indo- 

Pacific (one in Asia through Malesia to the Pacific, 

one in Andamans Islands, and one in Sri-Lanka) 

[Govaerts et al., 2001]. 

Key to Mimusops species cultivated in Egypt: 

1a. Leaves firmly coriaceous, obcordate, cuneiform or 

obovate, 2-7 cm long, lateral veins 5-8 pairs, 

margin revolute; petiole 0.5 - 1cm long; 

bole twisted, seldom straight……1. M. caffra 

b. Leaves coriaceous to thinly coriaceous, may be 

obovate, never obcordate or cuneiform, (4 -) 7- 

14.5 cm long, lateral veins 10–25 pairs, margin 

unrevolute; petiole 1 –5 cm long; bole straight  2 

2a. Flowering pedicels (1.5–) 2–4 cm long, longer 

than petiole; flower buds 7–10 mm long, 2.0–2.5 

times as long as broad, acute; calyx 10 –12 mm 

long; corolla 9 –12 mm long; stamens 5 –6 mm 

long; gynoecium 12–15 mm long; style 10–12 mm 

long, distinctly exserted; leaves at least 5 

times as long as the petiole, lateral veins 15 –25 

pairs ............................................. 2. M. Kummel 

b. Flowering pedicels 1.0–2.0 cm long, shorter than 

petiole; flower buds 3–7 mm long, 1–2 times as 

long as broad, blunt to rounded or acute; calyx 

5–10 mm long; corolla 6–9 mm long; stamens 

2–5 mm long; gynoecium 4–11 mm long; style 

2–9 mm long, included or slightly exserted; leaves 

up to 5 times as long as the petiole, lateral veins 

10–15 pairs ......................................................... 3 

3a. Leaves clustered at the end of branches; flower 

buds blunt or rounded, 3-5×3-4 mm, 1.00–1.25 

times as long as broad; corolla-tube 4 mm long, 

longer than corolla-segments; lateral segments 

irregularly incised; stamens c.2 mm long; 

gynoecium 4-5 mm long; style 2-3 mm 

long, included, hairy below; fruiting calyx 

reflexed; fruit green when ripe, 1-4 seeded; 

seed scar basi ventral, circular; bole 

buttressed .................................... 3. M. laurifolia 

b. Leaves not clustered; flower buds acute, 5–7 × 3– 

5 mm, 1.5–2 times as long as broad; corolla-tube 

1–2 mm long, shorter than corolla-segments; 

lateral segments entire; stamens 4 –5 mm long; 

gynoecium 7–11 mm long; style 5–9 mm long, 

included or slightly exserted, glabrous; fruiting 

calyx clasped to the fruit or spreading; fruit brittle 

yellow or orange when ripe, 1–seeded; seed scar 

basal, oblate; bole not buttressed...4. M. zeyheri 

1. Mimusops caffra E. Mey. ex A. DC. in DC., 

Prodr.8: 203 (1844) “Coast red milkwood” 

Type: Southern Africa (Eastern region): Pondoland or 

Natal. Between Umtentu and Um Zimkulu Rivers, 

1837, Drège J.F. s.n., K000435321, isotype, (K- 

image!). 

Homotypic synonym: 

Kaukenia caffra (E. Mey. ex A.DC.) Kuntze, Revis. 

Gen. Pl. 2:406 (1891). 



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Vol. 17(2) : 505-519, 2022 

 

 

Heterotypic synonym: 

=Mimusops revoluta Hochst. apud Krauss, Flora 

27: 825 (1844). Type: Southern Africa: Port 

NATAL. In woods on the dunes near Durban, 1840, 

Krauss F. 76, K000435320, isotype, (K-image!). 

Description: Much branched, shrub or small- to 

medium-sized tree, up to 15 m high, with milky 

latex, and rounded crown; bark dark grey, rough, 

shallowly and longitudinally fissured, wrinkled; 

bole seldom straight, often twisted, and not 

buttressed. Young vegetative parts densely 

adpressed-pubescent, with yellowish-brown to 

ferruginous indumentum, soon glabrescent. Leaves 

firmly coriaceous, not clustered, petiolated; blade 

obovate, obcordate or cuneiform, 2.0–7.0 cm long, 

1.0–4.0 cm wide, 2–2.5 times as long as broad; 

apex retuse, emarginated or rounded; base acute; 

margin yellowish, thickened, and revolute; upper 

surface glaucous, glossy, with yellowish-brown to 

ferruginous hairs when young, soon glabrous; lower 

surface pale green, mat, adpressed-pubescent, with 

persistent fulvous indumentum along the midrib; 

midrib prominent below and flush above on both 

s urf ace s; l ater al veins 5– 8 pai rs; petiole 

canaliculate towards the leaf base on upper surface, 

dilated at the base, 0.5–1.0 cm long, shorter than 

the leaf blade (leaf blade = 5– 15 x petiole), 

adpressed-pubescent, with ferruginous indumentum. 

Inflorescence (1–) 2–3(–4)–flowered; flower 10– 

20 mm in diam.; flower buds 8–10×3–5 mm, 2–3 

times as long as broad, acute, pedicelled; pedicel 

erect to ascending or commonly deflexed, dilated 

at apex, 20–30 mm long, not accrescent in fruit, 

sulcate when dry, longer than the petiole (pedicel= 

3–4 × petiole), densely adpressed-pubescent, with 

fulvous indumentum. Calyx 8–10 mm long; calyx- 

tube c. 1.0 mm long; outer calyx lobes lanceolate, 8–

9×2 –3 mm, with a dorsal midvein ceases below the 

acute apex, and with 1–2 lateral veins along the 

midvein on each side, densely adpressed-pubescent 

with fulvous indumentum outside and inside (less 

inside); inner calyx-lobes shorter, paler, and 

narrower, deltoid lanceolate, 7–8×1 mm, with a 

prominent, dark brown, median dorsal groove, and 

with fulvous hairs. Corolla white or cream, as long 

as the calyx; corolla-tube 1–2 mm long; median 

segment lanceolate, 8–9 × 0.5–1.0 mm, pluri- 

nerved, with acute apex and involute margins; 

lateral segments 6–7 mm long, slightly shorter than 

the median segments, each shallowly to deeply 

divided into two narrowly deltoid laciniae. Stamens 

5–6 mm long; filaments subulate, 2.0–2.5 mm long, 

hairy at base; anthers lanceolate, 3–4×1 mm, 

apiculate (apicula c. 0.5 mm long), hairy on and 

along the connective tissue; staminodes deltoid- 

lanceolate, 3–4 mm, shorter than the stamens and 

corolla-segments, acute, densely pilose outside 

(especially along the margins). Gynoecium 9–11 

mm long; ovary ovoid to globose, with black brown 

colour at apex and base, 1.5–2.0 x 1.0–1.5 mm, 

pilose; style black or reddish-brown, slender, 7–9 

mm long, as long as corolla or slightly exserted, 

sparsely hairy below; stigma c. 0.2 mm wide, hairy. 

Fruiting calyx clasped to the fruit; fruit orange-red 

or red when ripe, globose or subglobose to ovoid, 

2.0–2.5 x 1.5–2 cm, 1.0–1.5 times as long as 

broad, with rotundate or shortly rostrate apex 

(beaked/pointed tip), usually crowned by the 

persistent style at least when young, 1-seeded, 

ovoid to ellipsoid, 10-15 x 7-9 x 5-7 mm, glabrous; 

testa brown, shiny, with basal ellipsoid seed scar. 

(Fig.1) 

Phenology: Flowering season May-July. 

Global distribution: Native to the coastal scrub of 

Southern Africa (Cape Province to Natal) 

northwards to Mozambique in South Tropical 

Africa. 

Taxonomic note: Unfortunately, our specimens are 

without fruits. Therefore, characters of the fruit and 

seed are derived from authentic specimens and from 

literature of Meeuse (1963), Baehni (1965), and 

Kupicha (1983). 

Uses: As ornamental tree. 

2. Mimusops kummel Bruce ex A.DC. in DC., 

Prodr. 8: 203 (1844) “Red milkwood” 

Type: Northeast Tropical Africa: Ethiopia. Tigre. 

In faucibus montium et ad declivia septentrionalia 

Montis Scholoda, 20June -31December 1837, 

Schimper G.H.W. 280, K000435270, lectotype by 

Hemsley, 1968 (K, image!). 

Homotypic synonym: 

Kaukenia kummel (Bruce ex A.DC.) Kuntze, Revis. 

Gen. Pl. 2: 40 (1891). 



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Fig,. 1 : Field photographs of Mimusops caffra E. Mey. ex A. DC. 

A: Trunk;  B: Twig with leaves and inflorescences; C: Inflorescence; D: Corolla longitudinally sectioned and 

opened, ventral view; E: Corolla opened with 3 corolla-lobes, showing median and 2 lateral segments; F: Corolla 

and one sepal removed, showing gynoecium [Aswan Botanic Garden (Plant Island); Abdelmohsen s.n. (CAI)]. 

 

Heterotypic synonyms: 

= Imbricaria fragrans Baker in Oliv., Fl. Trop. Afr. 

3: 509 (1877). Type: West Tropical Africa: South 

Nigeria. Yoruba, s.d., Barter C. 1217: K000435260, 

holotype (K, image!). 

=Mimusops fragrans (Baker) Engl. in Engl. & Prantl, 

Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(1): 152, fig. 82 N-S (1891). 

=Binectaria fragrans (Baker) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. 

Pl. 2: 406 (1891). 

=Mimusops djurensis Engl., Monogr. Afr. 

Pflanzenfam. 8: 75, tab. 30/B (1904). Type: Northeast 

Tropical Africa: Sudan. Seriba Ghattas, im lande der 

Djur Reise nach central Africa & Sudan, 11 April 

1869, Schweinfurth G. 1379, K000435271 & 

Schweinfurth G. 2428, K000435273, isosyntypes, (K, 

images!). 

=Mimusops langenburgiana Engl., Monogr. Afr. 

Pflanzenfam. 8: 70, tab. 28/D (1904). Type: East 

Tropical Africa: Tanzania. Rungwe District, near 

Tukuya [Langenburg], s.d., Goetze S.G.864, 

BR0000006282295, isotype, (BR, image!). 

= Mimusops stenosepala Chiov., Atti Reale Accad. 

Italia, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis. 11: 47 (1940). Type: 

Northeast Tropical Africa: Ethiopia. Neghelli, poscoli, 

16 March 1937, Senni L. 1015, FT 002542, holotype 

(FT, image!). 

Description: Small-to large-sized evergreen tree, up 

to 25 m high, with milky latex; crown much branched; 

bark dark grey, longitudinally fissured and wrinkled; 

 B  

 A  

 C  

Stamen 

SSttaammiinnooddee 

 D   E   F  



Taxonomic revision of the cultivated species of Mimusops 

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bole straight, not buttressed. Young vegetative parts 

densely adpressed-pubescent, with ferruginous hairs, 

soon glabrescent. Leaves coriaceous, not clustered, 

broadest part at the middle or above and petiolated; 

blade elliptic to oblong-elliptic, ovate-oblong or 

obovate (5.0-)7.0-14.5 cm long, 2.0-5.0 cm wide, 

2-4 times as long as broad; apex frequently acuminate 

to cuspidate or acute, rarely emarginated or obtuse; 

base acute or cuneate; margin entire; upper surface 

dark green, glossy, densely adpressed-pubescent, with 

ferruginous indumentum, later glabrous; lower surface 

paler, mat, with persistent ferruginous hairs along the 

midrib; midrib prominent on both surfaces; lateral 

veins 15-25 pairs; vein reticulation obscure above, 

obscure or slightly raised beneath; petiole canaliculate, 

sulcate when dry, 0.5-2.0(-2.5) cm long, much shorter 

than the leaf blade [blade = 5-9 × petiole], densely 

adpressed-pubscent, with ferruginous indumentum. 

Inflorescence (1 -)2-4–flowered; flowers 10 -13 mm 

in diam.; flower buds 7-10 × 4-5 mm, 2-2.5 times as 

long as broad, acute, pedicelled; pedicel erect to 

ascending, or commonly recurved, slender, (15 -) 

20-40 (-50, not in ours) mm long, longer than the 

petiole [pedicel= (1.5-) 2-3×petiole), densely 

adpressed-pubescent, with ferruginous hairs. Calyx 

10-12 mm long; calyx-tube c. 1 mm long; outer calyx- 

lobes lanceolate, 10-11 × 2-3 mm, with acute apex, 

paler margin, and densely pubescent with ferruginous 

hairs on both surfaces (less hairy inside especially at 

the darker base); inner calyx-lobes slightly shorter and 

narrower, 9 –10 × 1–2 mm, acute, with brown dorsal 

groove, with paler hairs. Corolla white or cream, 

9-12 mm long, as long as calyx or slightly shorter; 

corolla-tube 1–2 mm long; median segment oblong- 

elliptic or lanceolate, 9-10×2.0 mm, with 2-3 pairs of 

prominent lateral veins along the prominent midvein, 

apex acute to obtuse; lateral segments 8–10 mm long, 

as long as the median segments or slightly shorter, 

entire or often divided into 2 -3 lanceolate-linear 

laciniae. Stamens 5-6 mm long; filaments reddish- 

brown, 2.0-3.5 mm long; anthers lanceolate, 2.5-4.0 
× 1.0-1.5 mm, hardly longer than filaments, with an 
apiculate apex (apicula 0.3–0.5 mm long), hairy on 

and along the connective tissue; staminodes deltoid 

lanceolate or lanceolate-linear, 4-6(-7) mm long, 

gradually or abruptly narrowed above into an acute 

apex with an extended, paler and glabrous tip (1-2 mm 

long), frequently as long as the stamens or shorter, 

rarely slightly longer, shorter than the corolla- 

segments, externally densely pilose throughout except 

the extended apex. Gynoecium 12–15 mm long; ovary 

ovoid, 2–3 × 1–2 mm, densely covered with 

ferruginous hairs; style reddish-brown, slender, 10-12 

mm long, distinctly exserted, glabrous; stigma 0.2–0.3 

mm wide, hairy. Fruiting calyx clasped to the fruit; 

fruit yellowish-orange or orange- red, ellipsoid to 

ovoid, 2.0 –2.5 × 1.0–1.5 cm, 2.0–2.5 times as long 

as broad, with acute to obtuse or commonly with 

shortly rosrate/beaked apex, usually crowned by the 

persistent style at least when young, glabrous, 1- 

seeded; seed ellipsoid, laterally compressed, 18–20 × 

9 ×7 mm; testa brown, shiny, with basi –ventral scar; 

scar ellipsoid, c. 3.5 × 2 mm, (Fig. 2). 

Phenology: Flowering season May-July, October; 

Fruiting season: January, June, October. 

Global distribution: It is widely distributed in 

Tropical Africa. It occurs in West and West-Central 

Africa (Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Togo, 

Central Africa, and Cameroon); Northeast Africa 

(Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan), East Africa (Kenya, 

Tanzania, and Uganda), and Malawi in South Tropical 

Africa. 

Taxonomic notes: It is unique by its entire or divided 

lateral segments with lanceolate-linear laciniae, as well 

as the anthers hardly longer than filaments. In all our 

cultivated specimens, the staminodes are 4 –6(–7) mm 

long, frequently as long as stamens or shorter, rarely 

slightly longer. 

Hamdy et al. (2010) reported the occurrence of 

Mimusops kummel from Aswan, but it was actually 

belong to M. laurifolia (Forssk.) Friis. 

In Zohriya garden, the tree was initially mistaken for 

M. elengi L. Both species are within the same range 

of leaves (shape, size, apex, lateral veins, and petiole). 

However, indumentum colour, floral and fruit 

characters are diagnostic to distinguish both. In 

Mimusops kummel, the indumentum is with 

ferruginous hairs [vs. rufous hairs] along the midrib 

beneath, narrower (10-13 mm wide) flowers [vs. 15- 

20 mm wide]; longer (10-12 mm long) calyx [vs. 7-9 

mm long]; shorter (1-2 mm long) corolla-tube [vs. 2- 

4 mm long]; entire or divided lateral segments [vs. 

entire]; longer (10-12 mm long) style [vs. 3-5 mm 

long]; narrower (1.0-1.5 mm wide) fruit [vs. 1.5-2.5 

mm wide], and with an ellipsoid seed scar [vs. 

circular]. 



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Fig. 2 : Field photographs of Mimusops kummel Bruce ex A. DC. 
 

A: Trunk; B: Twig with leaves, inflorescences, fruits, and seeds; C: Lateral segments with its entire or divided 

laciniae, viewed from below; D: Corolla opened with stamens and staminodes, dorsal view; E: Corolla and 

most sepals removed showing gynoecium; F: Fruit (above) and seed (below); G: Seed, lateral view; H: Seed 

with seed-scar, ventral view [Zohriya Garden; Abdelmohsen s.n. (CAI)]. 



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Uses: As ornamental tree 

3. Mimusops laurifolia (Forssk.) Friis, Kew Bull. 

35(4): 787, figs. 1-3 (1981) “Persea” 

Type: Arabian Peninsula: Yemen. Bayt al Faqih “Beit 

el Fakih”, 1763, Forsskål P. 359, C10001840 and 

Forsskål P. 360, C10001841, syntypes (C, images!). 

Homotypic basionym: 

Binectaria laurifolia Forssk., Fl. Aegypt.-Arab.: 

CX No. 252,82, Cent III No. 54 (1775). 

Heterotypic synonyms: 

=M. Kauki Vahl, Symb. Bot. 1:27 (1790) [non L., 

1753]. 

=M. schimperi Hochst. ex A. Rich., Tent. Fl. Abyss. 

2:22 (1851). Type: Northeast Tropical Africa: 

Ethiopia. Tacazze; infra Dscheladscheranne, 09 

December 1839, Schimper W.G. 697, 

LG0000090026638 (LG, image!), Isosyntype; Tigre; 

“Inter Dscheladscheranne et Selassaquilla”, in convalle 

fluvii Tacazze, 01 May 1840, Schimper W.G. 873, 

K000435265, syntype (K, image!). 

= Mimusops kummel sensu Hamdy, Gard. Hist. 38 (2): 

276 (2010) [non Bruce ex A. DC., 1844]. 

Description: Small-to medium-sized, evergreen tree, 

up to 15 m high, with milky latex; crown rounded; 

bark brown, longitudinally fissured and wrinkled; bole 

straight and buttressed. Young vegetative parts 

densely adpressed-pubescent, with ferruginous 

indumentum, later glabrescent. Leaves subcoriaceous, 

densely clustered at the end of branches or on spurs 

(c. 2.0–3.0 cm long) if present (not in ours), broadest 

part at the middle or below and petiolated; blade 

elliptic to oblong-elliptic or lanceolate, 4.0–12.0 cm 

long, 2.0–5.0 cm wide, leaf blade 2–3 times as long 

as broad; apex acute or bluntly apiculate, rarely 

emarginate; base cuneate or obtuse; margin yellow, 

entire; upper surface dark green, glossy, densely 

adpressed-pubescent with ferruginous hairs, later 

glabrous; lower surface paler, mat, with persistent 

ferruginous hairs on and along the midrib; midrib 

prominent below and flush above on both surfaces; 

lateral veins 10–15 pairs; petiole pale in colour, 

canaliculated towards the leaf base on upper surface, 

sulcate when dry, 2.0–5.0 cm long, shorter than the 

leaf blade [blade = 2–4×petiole], adpressed-pubescent, 

with ferruginous indumentum. Inflorescence (1–)2– 

4–flowered; flowers 10–12 mm in diam.; flower buds 

3.0–5.0 × 3.0–4.0 mm, 1.0–1.25 times as long as 

broad, with blunt or rounded apex, pedicelled; pedicel 

erect to patent, 10–20 mm long, accrescent in fruit (up 

to 2.5 cm long), shorter than the petiole (petiole = 2– 

3× pedicel), adpressed-pubescent with ferruginous 

hairs. Calyx 5.0–7.0 mm long; calyx tube c. 1.0 mm 

long; outer calyx-lobes green, lanceolate, 5.0–6.0 × 

2.0–3.0 mm, with obtuse apex, and with white or paler 

stripe along the margin, adpressed-pubescent, with 

ferruginous hairs on both surfaces (less hairy inside); 

inner calyx-lobes paler, narrower, oblong-lanceolate, 

4.0–5.0 × 2.0 mm, as long as or slightly shorter than 

the outer ones, dorsally with a distinct green median 

groove ceases below the ± mucronulate apex, hairy 

on both surfaces (less hairy inside).Corolla yellowish- 

white, 6.0–7.0 mm long, as long as the calyx or 

slightly longer; corolla-tube c.4 mm long, slightly 

longer than the corolla lobes; median segment 

narrowly spathulate or spathulate-oblong, 2.0–3.0 × 

0.5–1.0 mm, with descending lateral veins along the 

midvein which ceases below the ± acute apex, and with 

uneven margin above; lateral segments c.3.0 mm long, 

as long as the median segments or slightly longer, each 

irregularly divided (incised) into narrowly oblong- 

lanceolate to linear laciniae. Stamens c. 2.0 mm long; 

filaments subulate, c. 0.5 mm long; anthers lanceolate, 

c. 2.0 × 1.0 mm, apiculate (apicula c. 0.2 mm long), 

hairy; staminode lanceolate-linear, c. 2.5 mm long, 

slightly longer than stamens, slightly shorter than the 

corolla-lobes or subequal, densely hairy throughout. 

Gynoecium 4.0–5.0 mm long; ovary globose or 

subglobose, ribbed, c.2.0 mm wide, hairy (more along 

ribs); style reddish, ± slender, included, 2.0–3.0 mm 

long, hairy below and glabrous above; stigma reddish, 

c. 0.3 mm wide, hairy. Fruiting calyx reflexed; fruit 

green, ovoid to ellipsoid, 3.0–4.0 × 2.0–2.5 cm, with 

acute or commonly with shortly rostrate (beaked) 

apex, glabrous, 1–4–seeded, 1.5–2 times as long as 

broad; seeds ellipsoid, laterally compressed, 17–20 × 

10–12 × 10 mm; testa pale (toffee) or dark brown, 

shiny; scar small, basi-ventral, circular, 2.0–3.0 mm 

in diam, (Fig. 3). 

Phenology: Flowering season: March-June, October; 

Fruiting season: June-August, October. 



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Fig. 3 : Field photographs of Mimusops laurifolia (Forssk.) Friis. 

A: Trunk; B: Twig with leaves and inflorescence (flower buds); C: Twig with leaves, and fruit; D: Corolla 

opened with 3 corolla-lobes, showing median and 2-lateral segments; E: Corolla longitudinally sectioned and 

opened showing stamens and staminodes, ventral view; F: Gynoecium; G: Seed, lateral view; H: Seed with 

seed-scar, ventral view [Zoological Garden; Abdelmohsen s.n. (CAI)]. 

Global distribution: This species is restricted to the 

mountains around the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. 

It occurs in Northeast Tropical Africa (Djibouti, 

Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia) and Arabian Peninsula 

(Saudi Arabia, N Yemen) in Temperate Asia. Records 

from Sudan (Northeast Tropical Africa), Uganda (East 

Tropical Africa), and Ancient Egypt are presumably 

due to introduction (Friis, 1981, 2003). 

Taxonomic notes: In Orman (Giza) and Plant Island 

(Aswan), this species was regarded by earlier 

investigators as Mimusops elengi L. However, both 

species can be discriminated by floral and fruit 

characters. Mimusops laurifolia has blunt or rounded 

flower buds; lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate calyx- 

lobes with obtuse apex; shorter (6–7 mm long) 

flowers; corolla-tube longer than corolla-lobes; 

irregularly incised (divided) lateral segments; stamens 

with short (c. 0.5 mm long) filaments; short (c. 2.5 

mm long) staminodes with acute apex; and green fruit 

with 1–4–seeded. In contrast, Mimusops elengi 

possesses acute flower buds; narrowly ovate calyx- 

lobes with acuminate apex; longer (8–12 mm long) 

flowers; corolla-tube shorter than corolla-lobes; entire 



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(undivided) lateral segments; stamens with longer 

filaments (1–3 mm long); longer (4–6 mm long) 

staminodes with toothed apex; and orange-red fruit 

with 1(–2)–seeded. 

Uses: Fruit is edible; planted as shade or ornamental 

tree. 

4. Mimusops zeyheri Sond., Linnaea 23: 74 (1850); 

Engl., Monogr. Afr. Pflanzenfam. 8:73 (1904). 

“Common red milkwood” 

Description: Small-to medium-sized, evergreen tree, 

up to 20 m high, with milky latex; crown much 

branched, spreading, and rounded; bark brown and 

reticulately fissured; bole straight, not buttressed. 

Young vegetative parts densely adpressed-pubescent, 

with ferruginous indumentum, soon glabrescent. 

Leaves coriaceous or thinly coriaceous, not clustered, 

broadest part at the middle, above or below and 

petiolated; blade elliptic to oblong-elliptic or obovate, 

sometimes lanceolate, (4–) 6–11 cm long, 2.0–5.5 cm 

wide, leaf blade 2–3 times as long as broad; apex 

acute to obtuse or commonly bluntly apiculate, rarely 

rounded or emarginate; base cuneate or acute; margin 

yellow, thickened, entire; upper surface dark green, 

glossy, with ferruginous hairs, later glabrescent, and 

with conspicuous vein reticulation; lower surface pale 

green, mat, with raised vein reticulation, more tardily 

glabrescent than above, with persistent ferruginous 

hairs on and along the midrib, indumentum sometimes 

becoming greyish; midrib prominent on both surfaces, 

lateral veins 10–15 pairs; petiole canaliculate, dilated 

at the base, 1.0–3.5 cm long, shorter than the leaf 

blade (leaf blade = 3–5 × petiole), adpressed- 

pubescent, with ferruginous hairs. Inflorescence 1–3 

(–5, not in ours)–flowered; flowers 10–15 mm in 

diam.; flower buds 5–7 × 3–5 mm, 1.5–2.0 times as 

long as broad, acute or subacute, pedicelled; pedicel 

erect to ascending or commonly recurved, slender, 

sulcate when dry, 10–17 mm long, slightly accrescent 

in fruit, subequal or commonly shorter than the petiole 

(petiole = 1–3 × pedicel), adpressed-pubescent, with 

ferruginous indumentum. Calyx 7–10 mm long, not 

accrescent in fruit; calyx-tube c.1.0 mm long; outer 

calyx-lobes lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 8.0– 

9.0×3.0–4.0 mm, with paler margin, acute, dorsally 

±3-nerved below, densely adpressed-pubescent, with 

ferruginous hairs outside and inside (less inside); inner 

calyx-lobes shorter, narrower, and paler, 6–7×2–3 mm, 

acute, dorsally with brown median groove, and with 

greyish-white hairs. Corolla white, 6-9 mm long, 

shorter to longer than calyx; corolla-tube 1–2 mm 

long; median segments elliptic to oblong-elliptic or 

lanceolate with a narrow basal attachment, 5–7 × 1 

mm, acute or obtuse at the ± mucronulate apex, 

sometimes serrate-denticulate; lateral segments 

lanceolate, 4–6 mm long, entire (undivided), shorter 

to longer than the median segments, pluri–nerved, apex 

acute to obtuse or serrate -denticulate at the 

mucronulate apex. Stamens 4–5 mm long; filaments 

subulate, 1.5–2.5 mm long, glabrous; anthers 

lanceolate, 2.5–3.5×1.0–1.5 mm, with dark brown 

apiculate apex (apicula 0.3–0.5 mm long), hairy on 

and along the connective tissue; staminodes elongated 

deltoid to deltoid-lanceolate or lanceolate-subulate, 

either acute and shorter than stamens and corolla lobes 

or long acuminate-caudate and subequal or slightly 

longer than stamens and as long as the corolla lobes, 

densely pilose throughout outside except the paler tip. 

Gynoecium 7–11 mm long; ovary ovoid to globose, 

2–3 × 1–2 mm, densely pilose; style yellowish, slender, 

5–9 mm long, included or slightly exserted, glabrous; 

stigma reddish-brown, 0.3–0.5 mm in diam., hairy. 

Fruiting calyx clasped to the fruit or spreading; fruit 

green, turning into brittle yellow or orange when ripe, 

with orange pulp, ellipsoid to ovoid, 2.0–4.0 × 1.5– 

2.5 cm, 1.5–2 times as long as broad, with acute to 

obtuse or with shortly rostrate/beaked apex, usually 

crowned by the persistent style at least when young, 

glabrous, 1-seeded; seed obovoid, c. 18 × 9–10× 6–7 

mm, glabrous; testa brown, shiny; scar basal, oblate 

(horizontal), 1.5 ×1.7– 2 mm. (Fig. 5). 

Global distribution: It is widely distributed in South 

Tropical Africa (Angola, Malawi, Zambia, 

Mozambique, and Zimbabwe) northwards to Tanzania 

in East Tropical Africa, and southwards to Southern 

Africa (Botswana, Natal, and Transvaal). 

In Egypt, M. zeyheri tends in the direction of var. 

laurifolia. 

var. laurifolia Engler, Monogr. Afr. Pflanzen fam. 8: 

73, tab. 27/C (1904). 

Type: South Tropical Africa: Malawi, 1895, 

Buchanan J. 304, BM000925409, isotype, (BM, 

image!), (Fig. 5). 



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Fig. 4 : Field photographs of Mimusops zeyheri Sond.var. laurifolia Engl. 

A: Trunk; B: Twig with leaves, inflorescence and fruits (below); C: Flower, lateral view; D: Corolla longitudinally 

sectioned and opened, ventral view; E: Corolla and one sepal removed, showing gynoecium; F: Fruit and seed, 

lateral view; G: Seed with seed-scar, ventral view [Zohriya Garden; Abdelmohsen s.n. (CAI)]. 
 

Petiole 2.0-3.5 cm long, 2-3 times as long as the 

pedicel; corolla-segments not serrate-denticulate at 

apex; staminodes deltoid lanceolate, 2–3 mm long, 

acute, shorter than stamens and corolla lobes (nearly 

half the corolla-lobes). 

Taxonomic note: The specimens were misidentified as 

M. obovata Sond. since both have entire lateral 

segments. However, Mimusops zeyheri var. laurifolia 

Engl. has longer (2.0–3.5 cm) petioles [vs. shorter, less 

than 1 cm long]; flowering pedicels are shorter than 

the petioles [vs. longer than the petioles]; both median 

and lateral segments are different in shape and size 

[vs. subequal in shape and size]; and staminodes are 

shorter than stamens and corolla-lobes [vs. as long as 

stamens and corolla-lobes]. 

Phenology: Flowering season April, June-July, 

October; Fruiting season June, September-October. 

Use: As ornamental tree. 



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(Received : 09.10.2021; Revised : 12.01.2022; Accepted : 12.01.2022)