Quassia gabonensis

Family: Simaroubaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 40 m tall. The wood is soft and white. The trunk can be 2 m across. The leaves have 7-19 opposite leaflets. The flowers are yellowish-white, The fruit are black and shiny.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in rainforest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds are boiled for 2-3 hours then washed for a few days in running water before being dried and crushed. Fat is extracted from the seeds and eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit - spice, seeds - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Nzeng

Synonyms

Hannis kitombetombe G. C. C. Gilbert; Hannoa klaineana Pierre & Engl.; Hannoa njariensis G. C. C. Gilbert; Odyendea gabunensis (Pierre) Engl.; Odyendea klaineana (Pierre) Engl.; Odyendyea gabonensis (Pierre) Engl.; Quassia silvestris Cheek & Jongkind; Quassia undulata f. silvestris Voorh.; Simaba gabonensis (Pierre) Feuillet;