Manniophyton fulvum

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A straggling bush or creeper. It can be 30 m long and 10 cm thick. The leaves are heart shaped or divided into 3 lobes. The leaves are 35 cm long by 28 cm wide. The flowers are small and have white petals. The male flowers are in a panicle 25 cm long. The female flowers are shorter and the flowers develop into a dry hair capsule with 3 deep lobes. The kernels can be 2.5 cm across.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in forests in West Africa. It grows in light gaps in the forest and along roads. It also grows along rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Sudan, West Africa

How it is used for food

The kernels are boiled then eaten. The seeds contain edible oil. It is boiled for some time.

Edible parts

Kernels, nuts, seeds

How it is grown

In Central African Republic flowers have been recorded in January and August and fruit in September.

Its other names

Local names

Gasso nut, Hunhun, Kalunga, Kilendila, Nkusa, Nkuta

Synonyms

Manniophyton africanum Muell. Arg.;