About Parinari capensis Harv.
Parinari capensis Harv., commonly known as the sand apple, is a flowering plant species that belongs to the family Chrysobalanaceae. This species is distributed across Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Mature above-ground growth of Parinari capensis reaches 20 centimetres (7.9 inches) in height. Its leaves are elliptic in shape, with a white underside. The plant produces small white flowers, and its calyx is hairy and sand-colored. Parinari capensis grows on sandy substrates, in open woodland and grassland habitats at elevations between 1,200 and 1,600 metres (3,900 to 5,200 feet). It blooms from September through October. This species is classified as a geoxyle, meaning a large portion of its structure grows underground; this trait is an adaptation to fire-prone habitats. Because of this underground growth habit, Parinari capensis is considered to form long-lived, ancient immortal underground forests. This plant is used for anti-malaria purposes.
