Strombosia scheffleri

Engl.

Strombosia

Olacaceae Edible: Kernel, Nuts, Seeds 8 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Strombosia scheffleri is a medium-sized tree that is native to Tropical Africa, the species is sometimes planted as a shade tree in coffee and cocoa plantations. It belongs to the family Olacaceae.

Description

A large tree. It grows to 30 m high. The bark is pale brown peeling to reveal light patches. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are oblong. They are 7-20 cm long by 4-12 cm wide. They are light green. The flowers are clustered on very short side shoots. They are small and yellowish-green. They are about 5 mm long. The sepals form a tube. The fruit are oblong. They are 2.5 cm long. They have a round depression at the tip. They are green when young.

Edible Uses

The kernels, nuts, and seeds are eaten.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen mountain forest. It grows between 700-1,900 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Southern Africa, Uganda, West Africa, Zimbabwe,

Other Uses

The red or white wood is very hard and dense. It is used for sleepers, bridges, furniture, and flooring strips, tool handles, stools, spoons and grain mortars. The wood is used for firewood and making charcoal.

Also Known As

Burika, Epinado, Ifundu, Mbazoa

References (7)

Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 4. Kew.
Mutie, F. M., et al, 2023, Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches. Plants 2023, 12, 1145
Palgrave, K.C., 1996, Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers. p 160
Terashima, H., et al, 1992, Ethnobotany of the Lega in the Tropical Rainforest of Eastern Zaire (Congo): Part Two, Zone de Walikale, African Study Monographs, Suppl. 19:1-60
White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. and Chapman, J. D., 2001, Evergreen Forest Flora of Malawi. Kew. p 418

Show all 7 references