African Peach

Nauclea latifolia, also known by its common name African peach, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae, native to tropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa.

It grows as a spreading deciduous or evergreen shrub or small tree, typically 4–6 m tall, though it may reach greater heights under favorable forest conditions. The species is characterized by a multi-stemmed habit, rough dark grey-brown bark, opposite glossy green leaves, and terminal spherical heads of small, fragrant white to yellowish flowers. It produces fleshy syncarp fruits up to 8 cm in diameter containing numerous small seeds embedded in sweet, edible pink pulp.

It is widely known in traditional African medicine as "African quinine" due to its antimalarial properties. Various parts of the plant, including roots, bark, leaves, and fruits, are used to treat fever, pain, diarrhea, diabetes, and infectious diseases, while the fruits are consumed as a famine food rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.