Mwasa
Beilschmiedia ugandensis

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 9-25 m tall and can reach 45 m. The trunk is often crooked but it can be 50-100 cm across. The tree has a dark heavy crown. The bark is light brown and smooth. It flakes off in large sheets. The leaves are long and oval. They are 8-10 cm long. The tip is blunt or slightly pointed. The leaf stalk is about 1 cm long and has a channel on the upper surface. The flowers are male and female on separate trees. The flowers are small and crowded on sprays in the axils of the leaves. They are 2-10 cm long and pink-brown. The fruit are purple brown and soft and oval. They are 0.5-2.5 cm long with red juice.

There are about 100-250 Beilschmeidia species. They are in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. A rainforest tree. It suits humid locations. They are often in swampy areas and damp forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

How it is used for food

The fruit is used for food.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Trees can be grown from seeds. Seeds can be sown in pots then transplanted or planted directly where they are to grow. After fruit have fallen the outer layer can be allowed to rot off by putting the fruit in heaps then the tough seed case cracked to allow the seed to germinate. Seed can be stored for a year if left in the seed case and stored in a cool ventilated place.

The tree is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Tylostemon ugandensis (Rendle) Stapf;