Smoothfruit lightning bush
Clutia abyssinica

Family: Peraceae

What it is like

A shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It is erect and has a few branches. The leaves are oval and dull green. The flowers are small and occur usually in pairs in the axils of leaves. The fruit are pale green with yellow-green dots. The seed are black and shiny with small pits.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in grassland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The roots are used in soup.

Edible parts

Roots, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Muka foni, Umuberama

Synonyms

Clutia anomala Pax. & K. Hoffm.; Clutia glabrescens Knauf; and others