Tetrorchidium didymostemon

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 8-12 m high. The trunk is 1 m around. It can grow to 24 m high. The trunk is sometimes fluted. The bark is grey and finely cracked. The branches are zigzag shaped because they bend at each node. Branches are often opposite. The leaves are 7.5-21 cm long by 3.5-11 cm wide. The leaves are thin and papery. The flowers are separately male and female. Male occur in single spikes opposite the leaves. Female flowers are very small and in clusters of 3-5. The fruit have 3 lobes. They are 6 mm across. They contain 3 red seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in secondary rainforest. It suits humid locations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Cameron, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

The stem is sucked for the sweet sap in the bark.

Edible parts

Fruit, stem, leaves

How it is grown

In Central African Republic plants have been recorded flowering in May, June and October and fruiting May to July.

Its other names

Local names

Iheni, Kambilangwa, Nsusu, Ofun-oke

Synonyms

Hasskarlia didymosetmon Baill.; Tetrorchidium minus (Prain) Pax & K. Hoffm.;