Milicia regia

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

It is fairly similar to Milicia excelsa. It is a large tree. It grows 35 m tall. The trunk is straight and cylinder shaped. It is 2 m across. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are arrange in 2 rows and are alternate. The leaf blade is oval and 4-20 cm long by 3-14 cm wide. The leaf base is heart shaped and often unequal. The edges can be wavy and with a few teeth near the tip. There are many flowers in long rows with bracts in rows between them. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The fruit is dry and has one seed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical West Africa. It grows in the lowlands in rainforest. It is often in forests along rivers. It suits humid locations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa

How it is used for food

Fruit are sometimes sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seeds can be planted in a nursery and then transplanted. They are ready for transplanting 4 months after germination. Plants can also be grown from stem cuttings and root cuttings. They can be grown by layering or grafting.

Its other names

Local names

Binam-ne, Cunde, Iroko, Kambala, Odum, Odum-nua, Po-de-bicho-amarelo, Po-de-bicho-risso, Po-de-sinsa, Semei, Time, Tumbiro, Tumbu-suro

Synonyms

Chlorophora regia A. Chev.; Maclura regia (A. Chev.) Corner;