Baikiaea insignis subsp. minor

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 35 m high and spreads 5 m wide. The trunk is erect and branching. The bark is smooth and grey. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. There are 3-8 leaflets each 30 cm long. They are leathery and deep green. The flowers are large and creamy-white. They have 4 petals with ruffled edges. The flowers are 20 cm long. The fruit are pods 60 cm long. They have a chocolate brown covering.

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It needs a deep, humus-rich well-drained soil. It grows in lowlands and lower mountain forests

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Australia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Gabon, SE Asia, Singapore, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted and eaten during famine.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Vegetable, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed need treatment to break the hard seed coat.

Its other names

Local names

Nkobakoba

Synonyms

Baikiaea emini Taubert; Baikiaea minor Oliver;