Horn-pod tree
Diplorhynchus condylocarpon

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A tree or shrub. It can have one or many stems. It grows 3-12 m high. The trunk can be 50 cm across. The bark is rough and deeply cracked. The small branches droop. The leaves are opposite and yellowish green. The leaf blade varies in shape. It can be 4-9 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The flowers are white or cream and in loose clusters near the ends of branches. They have a sweet scent. The flowers have a sweet scent. The fruit is made up of 2 follicles. They are woody and boat shaped.

It is probably used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry deciduous woodland. It can tolerate toxic serpentine derived soils. It grows from sea level to 1,700 m altitude. It is more common in the lowlands. In Zimbabwe it grows in areas with a rainfall between 600-750 mm rainfall per year.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Gum

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Imkamamasane, Musikanyimo, Mutohwa, Rocossi, Tocarri, Tsowa

Synonyms

Aspidosperma condylocarpon Muell. Arg.; Diplorhynchus angustifolia Stapf; Diplorhynchus mossambicensis Oliv.; Diplorhynchus poggei K. Scum.; Diplorhynchus welwitschii Rolfe; Neurolobium cymosum Baill.;