Maytenus acuminata

Family: Celastraceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It can grow 1-15 m tall. The leaves are dark green and shiny above and more pale underneath. They are 2-12 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flower petals are green or white and can be tinged with red. The fruit capsule is orange to red and 4-11 mm long. It has 3 lobes. There are 1-3 seeds and they ate brown.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 1,400-2,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Rwanda, SE Asia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The roots are used in soup.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lacucuku

Synonyms

Catha acuminata (L.f.) C. Presl; Catha rupestris C. Presl; Celastrus acuminatus L. f.; Celastrus acuminatus var. microphyllus Sond. in Harv. & Sond.; Celastrus mucronatus Eckl. & Zeyh.; Celastrus populifolius Lam.; Celastrus rupestris Eckl. & Zeyh. Ennepta atomaria Raf.; Ennepta coriacea Raf.; Gymnosporia acuminata var. lepidota (Loes.) Loes.; Ilex livida E. Mey. Maytenus amaniensis (Loes.) Loes.; Maytenus lepidota (Loes.) Robyns & Lawalree; and others