Dichapetalum madagascariense

Family: Dichapetalaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It can grow to 20 m high. The trunk can be 1.7 m around. It can be a woody climber. The fruit are oval and 3-4 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in savannah and forest in West Africa. It grows along river banks.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, West Africa

How it is used for food

Caution: The kernel is poisonous.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

In Central African Republic Plants flower January to May and fruit January to July.

Its other names

Local names

Alo, Akwakiraa gyuhenim, Ekusan, Makpavi, Sumolie

Synonyms

Dichapetalum chrysobalanoides Hutch. & Dalz.; Dichapetalum flexuosum (Oliv.) Engl.; Dichapetalum floribundum Planch. Engl.; Dichapetalum guineense (DC.) Keay; Dichapetalum subcordatum Hook. f. Engl.; Dichapetalum thomsonii Oliv.;