Maerua juncea subsp. crustata, the rough-skinned bush-berry

The green fruit of Maerua juncea subsp. crustata, the rough-skinned bush-berry, is ellipsoid with rough, hard surface like a lemon skin, warty and brittle. It turns orange when ripe around mid-spring to early summer. The fruit becomes about 45 mm long and 25 mm in diameter, growing on a stalk of 15 mm. This fruit is said to be edible.

The specific name, juncea is derived from the Latin word iunceus meaning of rushes or rush-like. The subspecific name, crustata, is derived from the Latin word, crusta, meaning crust or hard surface, referring to the encrusted surface of the fruit.

Subsp. juncea found in Namibia has a smooth fruit skin (Schmidt, et al, 2002; Pooley, 1998; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).