Carpodiptera africana

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It is often 1-5 m tall but can be 12 m tall. The young bark is smooth and silvery grey but becomes darker and cracked. The leaves are alternate. They are large and oval. They are 5-25 cm long. When young they have star shaped hairs. The base of the leaf is rounded. The leaf stalk is 1-2 cm long. The veins underneath the leaf are raised. The flowers are small and whit or pink. They have a scent. They occur in large dense bunches. They are in the axils of leaves. The fruit is pale but becomes a dull brown as it ripens. They are papery winged capsules. The wings are unequal and spread sideways up to 5 cm. They have soft hairs. The capsule breaks open to release the seed.

These have also been in the Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in coastal areas. It is in grassland and dry forest. It is often on coral limestone. It grows from sea level to 100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a vegetable. They are washed, cut and cooked.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

The leaves are collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Cocoeho, Ecalago, Mfesti, Mkikoma, Mkongolo, Mkongoro, Mlanga, Mmilambutuka, Mnanga, Mungolo, Mwangamaima, Ungolo, Vanicalia

Synonyms

Berrya africana (Mast.) Kosterm.; Berrya boivinii (Baill.) Kosterm.; Berrya sansibarensis (Burret) Kosterm.; Carpodiptera boivinii Baill.; Carpodiptera minor Sim; Carpodiptera sansibarensis Burret;