Tree entada, Splinter bean
ZZ Entada abyssinica

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 3-10 m tall. The crown is flat and spreading. The leaves have 2-20 side stalks with 22-55 pairs of leaflets. These are 4-12 mm long by 1-3 mm wide. They are narrow and with flattened hairs on both surfaces. The flowers are creamy white. They have a sweet scent. The petals are 1.5-2 mm long. The pods are 15-39 cm long and 5-7.5 cm wide. They are straight. There are 12-15 seeds in a pod. The seeds are 10-13 mm long by 8-10 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in savannah grassland. It has been recorded up to 2,040 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Australia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a medicinal tea.

Edible parts

Medicine

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Entadopsis abyssinica (A. Rich.) G.C.C. Gilbert & Bouti;