Meni oil, Red Ironwood, Scrubby Oak
Lophira lanceolata

Family: Ochnaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree up to 15 m tall. It is often stunted and twisted due to bush fires. The tree in flower is attractive. It has large strap like leaves. They grow in tufts at the ends of scarred twisted branches. The leaves 15-45 cm long by 2.5-7.5 cm wide. The flowers are in open panicles of white flowers. The flowers are 2.5-3.5 cm across. The panicles are 15 cm long. The fruit contain one long seed. The seeds are winged and 7 cm by 3 cm. The wings are often crimson. The nut inside is beaked and 2.5 cm long.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in moist savannah. It can also grow on coastal sands. In Nigeria it grows up to 1,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten. The oil from the seeds is used in cooking.

Edible parts

Seeds, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds. Seed need to be planted fresh. It can be grown by air layering. The plants grow better if some soil from near an old tree is added to provide the microrrhizal fungi that help growth.

Fruit are harvested as soon as they turn brown.

Its other names

Local names

Aya, Dwarf red ironwood, False shea, Kochi kere, Iponhon, Lukuku, Makan, Mana, Mene, Maniney, Namijin kadai, Okopia, Oteny, Tangana, Zawa

Synonyms

Lophira alata auct.;