Supowa
Vitex grandifolia
Family: Lamiaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows to 25 m high. The trunk is 1.2 m across. The leaves are opposite and compound. There are 5 leaflets spread out like fingers on a hand. These are 12-30 cm long by 10-15 cm wide. The end in a sharp point. The fruit is fleshy with a stone inside. The fruit is 2 cm long and there are 1-2 seeds per stone.
Also put in the family Verbenaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is an understorey tree in the lowland evergreen forest.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used to make an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate after 2-3 months.
Its other names
Local names
Evoula, Fulu, Lokoubo, Mvule, Nom angona, Ori, Ogikhimi