Magnistipula butayei
De Wild.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Günter Baumann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
Description
A tree. It grows 15-20 m tall. The bark is smooth and grey. The leaves are 9-16 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The fruit are 2.5 cm across. They have a soft hairy velvety coating.
Edible Uses
The fruit are eaten.
Medicinal Uses
The leaves are crushed and the powder is applied on babies' umbilical cords as a disinfectant.
Known Hazards
Plants in the Chrysobalanaceae family may contain cyanogenic compounds; verify safety before consumption.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Africa, Central Africa, Congo DR, Ghana, West Africa,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed.
Other Uses
The wood is used as a timber and to make wooden spoons and mortars. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal. The flowers are an important bee forage within the plants native range.
Synonyms
References (2)
- Latham, P & Mbuta, A., 2017, Useful Plants of Central Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Volume 2. Salvation Army p 11
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
