Desplatsia dewevrei

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 14 m high. The trunk is 1 m across. The crown is widely spreading. The bark is grey with papery scales. The small branches are purplish-brown. The leaves are 12-31 cm long and 4-12 cm wide. They are oval and are unequal sided at the base. There are teeth along the edge. They are pale green underneath. The flowers are white or yellow. The fruit are large and green and yellow when ripe.

There are only a few (about 5) Desplatsia confined to West Africa. It is also put in the family Sparrmanniaceae and Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows as an understorey plant in the forest. It grows in lowland rainforest. It suits humid locations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Cabinda, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Togo, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

The seed is eaten raw as a nut. The juice of the fruit is used as a spice for sauces.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit, vegetable, spice, oil

How it is grown

Plants fruit throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Bokamba, Bokomba, Buroso, Chombi, Chumbi, Esuli, Ila-erin, Kiokio, Likamba, Lisuli, Mbiu, Okamba, Okutaji, Piari, Wisamfia

Synonyms

Desplatsia lutea A. Chev. ex Hutch. & Dalziel; Desplatsia trillesiana (Pierre ex De Wild.) Pierre ex A. Chev. Grewiella dewevrei (De Wild. & T. Durand) T. Durand & H. Durand; Grewiella globosa (De Wild. & T. Durand) T. Durand & H. Durand; Grewiopsis dewevrei De Wild. & T. Durand; Grewiopsis globosa De Wild. & T. Durand; Grewiopsis trillesiana Pierre ex De Wild.;