The fruit of Calodendrum capense is nearly spherical, 3,5 cm in diameter. It is five-lobed, the longitudinal seams conspicuous in the knobbly surface. The common name of Cape chestnut was earned by the similarity of the fruit to the edible chestnut.

The green surface will become brown and woody as the fruit ripens. The yellowish calyx of the flower, small and star-shaped, is still visible at the base of the fruit in picture. Fruits are seen on the tree from midsummer to late autumn when they dehisce, freeing the large, smooth, black seeds. The seeds are eaten by monkeys and birds.

The tree is easily propagated from seed and valued as a garden subject. The hard wood is used as timber (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com).