Sorindeia, African damson
Sorindeia juglandifolia

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A climbing shrub or small tree. It can be 9 m high. The leaves are alternate and compound. There are 2-4 pairs of leaflets and one at the end. The leaflets are oval and 22 cm long by 11 cm wide. The end leaflet is the largest. The leaflets are leathery and both surfaces are green. The leaflet stalks are purplish, wrinkled, thick and 3-10 mm long. The flowers are small and creamy-white. They are tinged with pink. They occur in large loose branched heads. These can be 70 cm long. They occur in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The sexes are separate on different trees. The fruit is broadly oval and fleshy. It is about 10 mm long. They are yellow when mature.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in dense coastal dune bush.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo R, Cuba, East Africa, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, stem

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aionque, Ambilire, Balebari, Bu totol, Coxolouro, Cupote-cuxolouro, Daguru muda, Lagari, M'riuol, M'taluass, N'tata, N'tchaluas, Sandje-bombo, Sandji-bombro, Timba, Undebari, Untata, Untchalbiness

Synonyms

Dupuisia juglandifolia A. Rich.;