Dichapetalum toxicarium

(G. Don) Baill.

Rat's bane

Dichapetalaceae Edible: Fruit, Caution Potential hazards — see below

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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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MBG

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MBG

Description

A shrub or tree. It grows 16 m tall. It can be a woody climber. The leaves are waxy. They are narrowly oval and 8 cm long by 4 cm wide. They are wedge shaped at the base. The small branches are hairy. The fruit are oval and 4 cm long.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten.

Known Hazards

Caution is advised; this species is also known as rat's bane, suggesting toxicity concerns.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the forest under-storey or in secondary bush in West Africa.

Synonyms

Chailletia toxicaria G. Don

Also Known As

Broko-bak, Ekum-nkura, Ka-nunk, Koli-tomda, Magbavi, Magbevii, Makpafi, Meme, Suin

References (6)

Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 3. Kew.
Dalziel, 1937,
Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 104
Savill, P. S. & Fox, J. E. D., Trees of Sierra Leone. p 98
Unwin, A. H., 1920, West African Forests and Forestry. Fisher Unwin Ltd. pdf on Internet p 60 (As Chailletia toxicaria)

Show all 6 references