Boyinya
Uvaria angolensis

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A small tree or climbing shrub. It can grow 6 m long. The bark is dark. Young branches have rusty hairs. The leaves are oblong and 4-14 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. They taper to a short tip. The flowers can occur singly or in groups of 2-3. They are yellow to orange. The fruit are yellow when ripe. The fruit are 1.2-5 cm long and 0.8-2 cm wide. The seeds are shing brown.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Ethiopia it grows in the lowlands. It grows in dry forest. In Zambia it has been recorded at 1,355 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

The hard shell is removed and the inner flesh and seed kernel are eaten.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, seed, nuts

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Boyinya, Mukakankuri

Synonyms

Uvaria angolensis Oliv. subsp. guineensis Keay; Uvaria bukobensis Engl.; Uvaria nyassensis sensu R. E. Fr.; Uvaria variabilis de Wild.;