Maranthes polyandra

Family: Chrysobalanaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 8 m high. The fruit are oval and dark red or purple-black. They are 2.5 cm long.

There are about 10 Maranthes species. They are mostly in tropical Africa.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the wooded savannah in West Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Togo, West Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are rarely eaten. The fruit can be used for jam. The seeds are cracked and eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - masticatory, wood - salt, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Abrabesi, Bua, Sumbati

Synonyms

Parinari polyandra Benth.; Parinarium polyandrum Benth.;