Rothmannia tree
Rothmannia whitfieldii

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 4-9 m tall. The leaves are dark green above and dull underneath. They appear in groups of 3 from the same node. The leaves are oval and 30 cm long. Flowers open at night and have a slight scent. The fruit are green and have lobes. They are 5 cm wide. They are rusty brown when young.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dense forest. It can be in palm groves, along rivers and on the edge of mangroves. It usually grows between 500-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Asia, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo R, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Malawi, Nigeria, SE Asia, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The dried fruit are used in drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit - stimulant

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or by cuttings.

In Central African Republic flowers have been recorded in June and September and fruit in March.

Its other names

Local names

Bobe, Fina, Pohon rotmania

Synonyms

Gardenia whitfieldii Lindl.; Rothmannia malleifera (Hook.) Benth.; Randia malleifera (Hook.) Hook.f;