Pentaclethra eetveldeana
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A medium sized tree. It grows 30 m tall. The trunk is 50 cm across. It has small buttresses. The bark is grey and fissured. The crown is dome shaped. The young branches are hairy. The leaves are alternate and compound. They are twice divided with leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 40 cm long. There are 9-16 pairs of opposite leaflet bearing stalks. These are 4-12 cm long. They have 15-30 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are 8-13 mm long by 2-3 mm wide. The flowers are in a group in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. These can be 30 cm long with many flowers. The fruit is a long pod 20 cm long by 4 cm wide. It is reddish brown and has a stripe along it. It opens explosively on the tree then curves backwards. There are 3-8 seeds. They are oval and flattened. They are 2-3 cm long by 2-2.5 cm wide. They are smooth and reddish-brown.
There are 3 Pentaclethra species. Also as Mimosaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and in secondary forest. It suits humid locations.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Cabinda, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, Congo R, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten roasted or crushed.
Edible parts
Seeds - oil, seeds
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. It is best to plant the seeds directly in the field and this avoids damaging the taproot.
Its other names
Local names
Kiseka, Nsambu, Nseka, Nseka mfusila, Nsombo neska