Narrow-pod elephant root, Large-bean elephant-root
Elephantorrhiza goetzei

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 7 m high. The bark is dark brown or red. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are like acacia. They are compound with 14-41 pairs of stalks each with 20-48 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are 1.2 cm long. The bases of the leaflets are unequal. The flowers are small and cream. They occur in spikes in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a long pod. It is 45 cm long by 1.3-3 cm wide. As the pod splits open the edges remain on the tree as long woody threads.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in various types of woodland and scrub. It is often associated with rocky outcrops.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bastard Sumach bean, Citeta, Intolwane, Kafumbue, Kakola-mvula, Mugudzuru, Nalapoo

Synonyms

Elephantorrhiza rubescens Gibbs; Elephantorrhiza elongata Burtt Davy;