Bussea massaiensis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 14 m high. The bark is smooth and grey. The crown is spreading. The young stems have soft brown hairs. The leaves have dense brown hairs. There are 2-5 pairs of leaflet stalks and 5-10 pairs of leaflets. The lower surface is hairy. The flowers are in dense clusters. They are near the ends of branches. The fruit are pods and 7-12 cm long by 1.2-2.2 cm wide. They are broadest towards the end. There are 1-3 seeds. They are about 2 cm long by 1 cm wide.

There are 7 Bussea species. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Tanzania it grows in deciduous bushland and woodland between 1,100-1,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

The seeds are collected and roasted and a little salt added and eaten like peanuts. The seeds are also roasted and pounded and used in making a soup with vegetable of meat.

Seeds are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Trees can be grown from seed. To get it to grow in new areas, some of the mycorrhiza from the soil around the roots of the old plant need to be used to inoculate the new plant.

Seeds are collected from May to July. Seeds can be stored for 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Mbatu, Mbefu, Mbetu, Mfetru, Mubefu

Synonyms

Peltophorum massaiense Taub.;