Vaivai
Serianthes melanesica

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. The crown is often spreading. It grows 4-21 m tall. The leaves are twice divided. The leaf size varies. The flowers are pale yellow or white. The fruit are pods that become a velvety rusty brown at maturity. They are 8-12 cm long by 3-4.5 cm wide.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 750 m altitude. It grows in forests but can be on rocky shores and enar mangroves.

Countries/locations it is found in

Fiji, Pacific, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The seeds have been reported as edible.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Vaivai ni veikau, Vaivai ni Viti

Synonyms

Serianthes myriadenia sensu A. Gray; Serianthes vitiensis sensu Seem.; Serianthes melanesica var. macdanielsii Fosberg;