River litchi
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 12 m tall. It can be 20 m high. The leaves are 30 cm long. There are 3-7 leaflets. The leaflets blades are 11 cm long by 4 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. The flowers are yellow. The fruit are pink and have purple flesh. They are 1.5 cm long by 1.3 cm wide. The seed is 11-12 mm long by 7-8 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in lowland rainforest and along rivers. It suits humid locations. It grows from sea level to 1,200 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a dessert fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be cut back and will re-grow.

Its other names

Local names

Chona, Choro, Mapumbi, Metalala, Motobwi, Mtala-wanda, Musando, Mutalala, Mutara, Mwanda, Ntala

Synonyms

Lecaniodiscus vaughaniae Dunkley;