Alep, Oman
Desbordesia glaucescens

Family: Irvingiaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows to 50 m high. The trunk can be 2.5 m across. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are 10-15 cm long and 4-5 cm wide. The leaves are unequal at the base. The fruit are winged. They are 10-14 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. There are 1-2 seeds per fruit. The seeds are 3.5 cm long by 1 cm wide.

There is only one Desbordesia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in rain-forest in West Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, West Africa

How it is used for food

The oily seed is used as a flavouring.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Fawouaboka

Synonyms

Desbordesia insignis Pierre ex van Tiegh; Irvingia oblonga A. Chev.;