Symphonia louvelii
Family: Clusiaceae
What it is like
An evergreen tree. It grows 20 m tall. It has a sticky yellow exudate. The bark is smooth and yellowish. The leaves and simple and opposite. The blade is broadly oval and 3-6 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They are wedge shaped at the base and rounded at the tip. The flowers are orange-red and have both sexes. The fruit is an oval fleshy berry with 5 rounded sides. It is 16 cm long by 10 cm wide and pointed. It is pale brown with 3-5 seeds. The seeds are kidney shaped.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in moist evergreen forest in the shade and grows from sea level to 1,700 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Indian Ocean, Madagascar
How it is used for food
The fruit is eaten and also fermented to make a drink.
Fruit is sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Voandrapotika