Soapberry tree, Cherry of Senegal
Lepisanthes senegalensis
Family: Sapindaceae
What it is like
A shrub or tree. It grows 5 m tall. It can grow to 24 m high. The trunk can be 45 cm across. The branches often have small cracks along them. The bark is smooth and pale brown. The leaves are leathery. The leaves are compound. The leaves are divided 3-6 times. They are 30-60 cm long. There are 4-8 leaflets. They are 6-30 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. The lowest pair of leaflets are small and often fall off. The flowers are in groups and can be in the axils of leaves or hanging from the branches. The flowers are small and red. The flowers are 8-10 mm across. There are 4 or 5 white petals. The fruit are dark red to black berries. They are lobed. They are 2-3 cm long. There are 1 or 2 seeds. These are 14-19 mm long and grey-brown. The fruit are edible.
There are 24-40 Lepisanthes species. They are mostly in the tropics. The fruit are rich in Vitamin C.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in tropical Africa. It is an understorey tree. It grows in evergreen forests. In tropical Australia it grows in rainforest from sea level to 50 m altitude. It suits humid locations. In Borneo it grows in coastal and swamp forest up to 600 m above sea level. It can grow in sandy or clay soils. In Tanzania it grows from sea level to 1,800 m above sea level. It can often be on coral or lava rock near the sea. It often grows near rivers in arid areas.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Andamans, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Senegal (country/location of origin), Sikkim, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, West Africa (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
CAUTION. The seeds are toxic. The leaves are also toxic. The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The seeds are ejected.
Fruit are sold in markets in Senegal. It is a cultivated plant.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from fresh seeds.
In Tanzania fruit are collected from February to June. In India plants flower and fruit November to April.
Its other names
Local names
Achatta, Akisibaka, Amjam, Bekuda, Bonghadi, Bulao, Celle, Ceri senegal, Cerise du Senegal, Ch'egua, Daung-baung, Dieng-soh-jimmang, Duluai no, Dodekhitheng, Eyindie, Gotaharina, Hekokeko, Iligisiriko, Jejide, Kelayu gunung, Kihari, Kilinga caba, Kul, Kulugengeno, Kumen rofokor, Kurudiendieng, Lal-kocpura, Mancinga, Maiki-bandardima tiktiki, Mduru-mweupe, Mguena, Mgwena, Mkungulungu, Mlangwe, Msaro, Musaretsi, Nghuya, Obah, Ochol, Oleragai, Sarenja, Sembo, Sirhootungchir, Txiv ntsav npua, Zutul
Synonyms
Aphania angustifolia Radlk.; Aphania boerlagei Valet.; Aphania cuspidata (Blume) Radlk.; Aphania danura (Roxb.) Radlk.; Aphania dasypetala Radlk.; Aphania fascicularis Radlk.; Aphania loheri Radlk.; Aphania longipes Radlk.; Aphania macrophylla Radlk.; Aphania masakapu Melch.; Aphania montana Blume; Aphania ochnoides Pierre ex Lecomte; Aphania paucijuga (Hiern) Radlk.; Aphania philippinensis Radlk.; Aphania rubra Radlk.; Aphania senegalensis (Poir.) Radlk.; Aphania sphaerococca Radlk.; Didymococcus verticillatus (Lindl.) Blume; Euphoria verticillata Lindl.; Hydnocarpus tamiana Pulle; Nephelium verticillatum (Lindl.) G. Don.; Otophora paucijuga Hiern; Sapindus cuspidata Blume; Sapindus montana (Blume) Blume; Sapindus senegalensis Juss. ex Poir.; Sapindus verticillatus (Lindl.) Kurz; Scytalia danura Roxb.; Scytalia verticillata (Lindl.) Roxb.;