Tieghemella africana

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows to 50 m high. The trunk is 2.5 m across. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are 8-16 cm long by 4-7 cm wide. The fruit are oval and 7-10 cm across. There are 1-3 seeds per fruit. The seeds are about 5 cm long and 2-3 cm wide.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dense forests near rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cabinda, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon

How it is used for food

The pulp around the seeds is eaten raw. The seeds are pounded and soaked and washed then boiled. The oil is eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds - oil, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Biadjo, Fou, Hou, Ifou, Lifou, N'duka, Nom adjap elang, Okola

Synonyms

Baillonella africana (Pierre) Baehni; Dumoria africana (Pierre) Dubard; Lecomtedoxa vazii Dubard; Tieghemella jollyana Pierre;