Cladostemon kirkii
(Oliv.) Pax & Gilg.
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(c) Ricky Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ricky Taylor
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(c) Kate Braun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kate Braun
Description
A small tree. It can grow to 10 m tall or be lying over. The leaves are alternate and have 3 leaflets. The leaf stalk is 3-14 cm long. The blade is 4-12 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. It is oval and wedge shaped at the base. The flowers have small petals that are greenish red and large petals that are white to yellow. They are in groups near the ends of the branches. The fruit are large and 10 cm across.
Edible Uses
The roots are eaten and used as a famine food.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in the dry lowlands.
Where It Grows
Africa, East Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania,
Other Information
The roots are a famine food.
Notes
There is only one Cladostemon species.
Also Known As
Bunguane, Mahucue, Mauco, Mdudu
References (1)
- Lovett, J. C. et al, Field Guide to the Moist Forest Trees of Tanzania. p 34
