Anthocleista grandiflora

Gilg.

Forest fever tree, Forest big-leaf

Loganiaceae Edible: Leaves - tea 681 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Anthocleista grandiflora is a species of flowering plant of the family Gentianaceae. Commonly referred to as the forest fever tree. It is a tall, slender tree up to 30 m with a preference for forests in high rainfall areas. The leaves are very large, up to 100 cm x 50 cm, arranged in terminal clusters.

Description

An evergreen tree. It grows 35 m high. The trunk is straight. The leaves are very large and clustered near the ends of the branches. They are 45 cm long by 20 cm wide. The leaf scars form large rings on the stems. The flowers are in branched clusters near the ends of branches. The flowers are trumpet shaped and the petals are curled back. They are creamy-white with a green tube. The fruit is fleshy and almost round and smooth.

Edible Uses

A tea is made from the bitter-tasting leaves.

Traditional Uses

A tea is made from the bitter tasting leaves.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in upland areas. It grows along the edges of rivers. In Malawi it grows between 600-1,800 m altitude. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, Central Africa, Comoros, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zimbabwe,

Notes

There are 14 Anthocleista species.

Synonyms

Anthocleista zambesiaca Baker

Also Known As

Cucuza, Gururu, Luvinga, Luvunga, Mecucuo, Mezame, Mugopogopo, Muyama, Umhobohobo

References (4)

Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/
White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. and Chapman, J. D., 2001, Evergreen Forest Flora of Malawi. Kew. p 336
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
www.zimbabweflora.co.zw 2011