Baikiaea insignis
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 8-25 m tall. The trunk is straight and the crown is small and dense. The bark is thin and grey-brown. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaf stalk is 4-17 cm long and there are 3-8 leaflets. These are 7-40 cm long by 3-17 cm wide. The leaves are stiff and leathery. The flowers have 5 petals and the flowers occur in groups. There are 4 large white petals 6-10 cm long and a more narrow yellow petal. The fruit are flat woody pods. These are 25 cm long by 7 cm wide. They hang down. They burst open and twist to release dark red seeds. These are flat and rounded and 3.5 cm long.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves, seeds
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The seed are soaked overnight before planting.
Trees are slow growing.
Its other names
Local names
Bolengu, Djongo, Nkazu nkazu