Bridelia ferruginea
Family: Phyllanthaceae
What it is like
A gnarled shrub or small tree. It grows 6-15 m high. The trunk is crooked and it branches low down. The bark is dark grey and rough and often scaly. The small branches are long and thin. They can have short spines. The leaves are usually 3.5-10 cm long by 2.5-6 cm wide. The leaves have a tip which curves downwards. The leaf stalks are 5 mm long, stout and hairy. The flowers are creamy yellow and have a scent. The fruit are oval and 6-7.5 mm long. The fruit persist on the branches.
There are about 60 Bridelia species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in savannah or open woodland. In Nigeria it has been recorded at 230 and 1,060 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, Sudan, Togo, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The bark is used as a spice in food processing. It is also used to strengthen wine. The ripe fruit is eaten.
It is fairly commonly eaten in West Africa.
Edible parts
Fruit, bark, spice
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Asha, Dafi sagwan, Du'upapa, Iralodan, Jiringbo, Kimwindu ki nseke, Kirni, Kizni, Kpine, Mudzinza, Mufukusi, Mukodokodo, Mukwandu, Mushungunu, Mutorarwizi, Mutsetsauta, Mutugusi, Ndiriwo, Ntibi, Nyirinwo, Sagwan baboni, Sawan