“Cheetah balls” refer to the distinctive fruit produced by a specific tree, known for its unique visual characteristics. The common name hints at the fruit’s spotted appearance. This article explores its physical attributes, the tree it originates from, and key identification features.
Appearance of Cheetah Balls
The “cheetah ball” fruit is the product of the Oncoba spinosa tree. These fruits are typically rounded, almost spherical, measuring 60 to 80 millimeters (2.4 to 3.1 inches) in diameter. The exterior is a hard shell, green initially, transitioning to yellowish, dark reddish-brown, or black as it matures.
Mature fruits feature faint longitudinal ridges and a persistent calyx at its base. The surface often develops markings that evoke a cheetah’s spotted coat, contributing to its common name. The outer shell is firm and smooth.
Internally, the ripe fruit contains a yellowish, dry, and somewhat sour pulp. Embedded within this pulp are numerous small, shiny brown seeds, typically flattish and measuring around 6 by 4 millimeters. When completely dry, these seeds inside the hard shell can rattle distinctly, a characteristic that has historically led to their use as rattles.
The Cheetah Ball Tree
The Oncoba spinosa tree, also known as the snuff-box tree or fried-egg tree, is native to a broad region spanning eastern Africa, from South Africa northwards to Arabia. It thrives in various habitats, including bushveld areas, riverine fringe forests, and dry woodlands.
Oncoba spinosa can grow as a multi-stemmed shrub or a small tree, reaching heights between 5 to 8 meters (16 to 26 feet). The tree has a mottled grey and smooth bark, with young branches often speckled with lenticels. It is also characterized by straight, sharp spines, up to 50 millimeters (2 inches) long, on its branches.
Identifying Cheetah Balls
Identifying the fruit of Oncoba spinosa involves observing several key characteristics. These include its hard, spherical shell, which changes from green to yellowish or dark reddish-brown upon ripening. Faint longitudinal ridges and a persistent calyx at the base also aid identification.
The tree’s spiny branches are a consistent distinguishing feature. The fruit often retains a pointed tip, and its internal dry, sour, yellowish pulp with small, shiny brown seeds is also diagnostic. The combination of the fruit’s appearance and the tree’s spiny nature makes for reliable identification.