Gbabele
Brucea guineensis

Family: Simaroubaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. The stem is about 10 cm across. The twigs have some hairs. The leaves have 4-6 pairs of leaflets. The leaves are 1 m long. The flowers are red and in long panicles 40 cm long. They are of one sex. The fruit is large. It is 40 cm long by 10 cm wide.

It is used in medicine and is becoming a plant at risk.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in clearings in the lowland rainforest. It suits humid locations. It is often near rivers. It grows from 1 m to 1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, West Africa

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Brucea macrophylla Oliv.;