African pepper tree
Klainedoxa gabonensis
Family: Irvingiaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It grows to 45 m tall. The trunk is 1.5 m across. The bark is brown and rough. The leaves are 6-10 cm long by 3.5-4 cm wide. They are larger in young plants. The flowers are small and greenish. The fruit are round and 6-8 cm across. and 4-6 cm deep. The fruit contain 5-7 large seeds.
There are 2 Klainedoxa species. They are in central Africa.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in forest and woodland. In Nigeria it is recorded at 230 m and 760 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten fresh, roasted or crushed into a paste. The seeds are rich in oil so added to other foods as a gravy or relish. The fruit pulp is used to make a sauce eaten with meat.
Edible parts
Nuts, fruit, oil, seeds
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. It can grow in shade.
Young trees grow quickly. The seeds are 65% oil.
Its other names
Local names
Akpama, Bissambana, Bokoko, Bukoko, Cossossuque, Curacosse, Dau, Djambo, Eveuss, Kpama, Kroma, Kubu-kubu, Iman matan, Mampataz-de-porco, N'bambete, Ndau, Ngbi, Ngon, Ngondo, Oban ngon, Obi, Sopei, Umbambete