Phyllanthus polyanthus

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 3-9 m tall. It can grow 30 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The bark is light coloured. The branches are spreading. The leaves are simple and oval. They are 8 cm long by 3 cm wide. They are rough and shiny on both surfaces. The edges are slightly wavy. The male flowers are in slender groups 8 cm long. They are on woody branches. The fruit are celled capsules. The seeds are very hard with a thick wall.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in coastal forests. It can be in seasonally flooded forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, Gabon, Mozambique

How it is used for food

The fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In Central African Republic plants flower and fruit in February.

Its other names

Local names

Mantomina, Okolo

Synonyms

Phyllanthus klainei Hutch.; Phyllanthus pynaertii De Wild.;