Lancepod, Chaperno
Lonchocarpus sericeus

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10 m tall. The young twigs are brown and downy. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There are 5-11 leaflets and they are 10 cm long by 6 cm wide. The flowers are purple. They are on long stalks. The fruit are woody pods with one to many seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry zones. It is often along streams and in swampy areas. It can be in mangroves.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Belize, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central America, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Gabon, Greater Antilles, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Indochina, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South America, Trinidad, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bombata, Bontoko, Buchomale, Bu pendipinde, Cabelouro, Canaine, Costa-de-lagarto, Empantanca, Envira-piaca, Guabito, Linguana, N'compaca, Njassi, Po-di-languana, Seize, Shunin biri, Sucupira, Tienqua, Yaka

Synonyms

Dalbergia sericea Poir.; Derris sericea (Poir.) Ducke; Lonchocarpus cruentus Lundell; Lonchocarpus formosianus DC.; Lonchocarpus pixydarius DC.; Lonchocarpus tomentosus Tul.; Lonchocarpus turpinii Kunth; Robinia sericea Poir.; Robinia violacea P.Beauv.;