Porridge-stick
Craterispermum schweinfurthii

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or medium sized tree. It grows 15 m tall. It is similar to Craterispermum laurinum. The leaves are 7-18 cm long. They are oval and yellow-green. The base is wedge shaped. The flowers are in compact groups near the axils of leaves. The flower stalk is stout and flattened. The fruit are 5-6 mm long and do not have a stalk.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry evergreen forests. It can be on termite mounds. In Zimbabwe it grows between 200-1,770 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Southern Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The bark is chewed.

Edible parts

Sweet bark

How it is grown

It can be grown by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Mucenke, Mudotasadza, Mukambila, Mundota, Muntoma ntoma, Muntomina, Museswa, Nandara, Ntata nkedinga, Umbatana, Vulanota

Synonyms

Craterispermum laurinum auct. non (Poir.) Benth.; Craterispermum reticulatum De Willd.;