Erythrococca atrovirens

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 2.5 m high. The wood is soft. Young growth has yellowish hair. The leaf blades are 5-10 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. There are hairs especially underneath. There are 4-6 pairs of side veins. Male flower shoots are 5 cm long. Female flower shoots are 2-3 cm long. The fruit are 4-6 mm long by 5-10 mm wide. The seeds are 3-4 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It occurs in equatorial Africa. It grows in dry evergreen woodland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten as a leafy vegetable. They add flavour.

Edible parts

Fruit, pod, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

In Central African Republic plants flower in December and fruit in March.

Its other names

Local names

Esirietso, Likile, Mascha, Mbeteke, Mbileteke, Meteke, Ponyonyo

Synonyms

Athroandra atrovirens (Pax) Pax & K. Hoffm.; Claoxylon atrovirens Pax;