Carpolobia alba

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 8 m high. The trunk is 10 cm across. The leaves vary. The flowers are white with a red spot. The fruit are round and yellow or orange-red. They are 1 cm across. The seeds are 3 angled. There are 2-3 seeds in each fruit.

There may be 14 Carpolobia species. Polygalaceae mostly grow in warm and temperate coastal areas which are not arid.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the forest under-storey. In Nigeria it has been recorded to 600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, East Africa, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, West Africa

How it is used for food

The roots are eaten roasted or raw. The fruit are eaten raw.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit pulp, roots, vegetable

How it is grown

Fruiting is seasonal. In Central African Republic flowers have been observed in February and fruit in May.

Its other names

Local names

Afiafia, Bongbingbi, Bontanhe, Essa, Eyale-mbeh, Fesha, Iseke, Isekya, Lindiko, Liyambaliyekondo, Lokembia, Luxure, Monono, Oka, Onong, Toumbi

Synonyms

Carpolobia delvauxii E. M. A. Petit; Carpolobia glabrescens Hutch. & Dalziel; Carpolobia lutea; Carpolobia parvifolia (Oliv.) Stapf;