Camwood
Pterocarpus mildebraedii
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 35 m tall. The trunk is 20 m tall and 80 cm across. The bark is pale grey and exudes a red gum when cut. The leaves are compound and 35 cm long. There are 7-15 alternate leaflets with one at the end. These are oval and 6-14 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. They have a round base and taper to the tip. The flowers are in a group 5-15 cm long. The fruit is a round pod 10-12 cm long and with a broad thin wing. There is usually one seed.
Also as Papilionaceae. There are about 60 Pterocarpus species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in lowland evergreen and semi-deciduous forest in West Africa. It grows up to 1,250 m above sea level. In Tanzania it is restricted to 300-600 m. It can tolerate acid soil.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, West Africa
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are used in soups.
It is only used in some places. Leaves are sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seed. It can be cut back and allowed to re-grow. Plants can be budded. Plants can be grown from stem cuttings.
It grows quickly. There is a flush of edible leaves during the dry season.
Its other names
Local names
Aguaya, Mbel afum, Oha, Padouk blanc, Urube