Wild plum Harpephyllum caffrum Anacardiaceae, the cashew family Native to southern Africa

The fruits of wild plum taste sour, like plums, but the two plants are not related. The liquid from boiled bark is used to treat diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and skin problems. Bark extracts inhibit bacteria and fungi. One study using diabetic rats found that wild plum lowers blood pressure and blood sugar. This plant deserves more study, but scientists in Africa are often short of money to pay for research.

Male and female flowers are found on different trees.