Fleece-fruit, East african bombax
Rhodognaphalon schumannianum

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A medium to large tree. It grows 15-35 m tall. The bark is greenish-yellow and smooth. The leaves are alternate or scattered. They are arranged like fingers on a hand. There are 3-7 leaflets. These are oblong and 7 cm long by 1.8 cm wide. They have a slender tip. The leaf stalk is about 7 cm long. The flowers are striking pale yellow. They can be 18 cm across and with red stamens. They can occur either singly or in groups of 2-5 in the axils of leaves. The petals are narrow and strap like. The fruit is oval and has 5 valves. It is a woody capsule. It is about 6 cm long by 3 cm wide. It splits to release many smooth brown seeds. They are embedded in pale reddish-brown silky hairs.

Also put in the family Bombacaceae. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry open woodland. It grows between 600-1,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Bombax rhodognaphalon K. Schum.;