Phyllocosmus lemaireanus

Family: Ixonanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It grows up to 10 m high. It can be low growing from a woody base. The leaves are 7-11 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are thinly leathery. The flowers are on unbranched shoots. There are 1-3 shoots together with 2-3 flowers in a cluster. The petals are white or cream. The fruit is a capsule 6-9 mm long by 4-6 mm wide. These contain 1-3 seeds. The seeds are dark reddish-brown and 5 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry open deciduous forests. It is sometimes near streams. It grows from sea level to 1,300 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cilumbwe-lumbwe, Mulumbwe

Synonyms

Ochthocosmus candidus (Engl. & Gilg.) Hall. f.; Ochthocosmus gillettae Hutch.; Ochthocosmus glaber Wilczek; Ochthocosmus lemaireanus De Wild. & Th. Durand; Ochthocosmus senensis (Klotzsch ex Engl.) Hall. f.;