Ntonga nuts, Broad-leafed laurel
Cryptocarya latifolia
Family: Lauraceae
What it is like
A large tree. It grows up to 20 m tall. The bark is light brown. It has fine cracks along its length. The leaves are broadly oval. They are 5-10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are leathery. They are dark green above with a velvety appearance and greenish-brown underneath. The edges are wavy. The leaf tapers towards the base. The flowers are small and 1.2 cm across. They occur in long slender branched sprays. They have a spidery appearance. The fruit head is round and 2 cm across. It becomes black when ripe.
There are about 200-250 Cryptocarya species.
Where it is found
It grows in evergreen forest.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Nuts
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Broad-leafed wild quince