Forest fever tree, Forest big-leaf
Anthocleista grandiflora

Family: Loganiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 35 m high. The trunk is straight. The leaves are very large and clustered near the ends of the branches. They are 45 cm long by 20 cm wide. The leaf scars form large rings on the stems. The flowers are in branched clusters near the ends of branches. The flowers are trumpet shaped and the petals are curled back. They are creamy-white with a green tube. The fruit is fleshy and almost round and smooth.

There are 14 Anthocleista species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in upland areas. It grows along the edges of rivers. In Malawi it grows between 600-1,800 m altitude. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Central Africa, Comoros, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

A tea is made from the bitter tasting leaves.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cucuza, Gururu, Luvinga, Luvunga, Mecucuo, Mezame, Mugopogopo, Muyama, Umhobohobo

Synonyms

Anthocleista zambesiaca Baker;