jakhalsbessie

A South African term for the jackalberry tree (Diospyros mespiliformis), a large savanna tree found across sub-Saharan Africa. The name translates literally from Afrikaans as 'jackal berry,' referencing the fact that jackals, baboons, and other animals eat the fruit. The jackalberry is ecologically important as a food source for wildlife and produces hard, durable timber. The term is specific to South African and Zimbabwean usage.