Fabaceae FAMILY

Aphanocalyx pteridophyllus

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Aphanocalyx pteridophyllus is an evergreen tree with a broad but irregular crown that can be pendulous; it can grow 30 metres or more tall. The bole often branches from quite low down, it can be up to 45cm, occasionally to 75cm in diameter, sometimes with small buttresses[ 332 Title The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. Publication Author Burkil. H. M. Publisher Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew. Year 1985 - 2004 ISBN Description Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/ , 896 Title Monopetalanthus exit. A systematic study of Aphanocalyx, Bikinia, Icuria, Michelsonia and Tetraberlinia Publication Wageningen Agricultural University Papers 99-4 Author Wieringa J.J. Publisher Wageningen University; Holland Year 1999 ISBN 90-5808-121-4 Description A university thesis, it is a revision of the genus Monopetalanthus and related genera with a very good description of the species, including known uses. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. The wood has potential for commercial use.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeWest tropical Africa - Sierra Leone to Liberia.

HabitatRiverine forest, often along and hanging over a river, occurring even along rivers with brackish water; usually on sandy soils; at elevations up to 150 metres. Also occurring in small groups in evergreen (dryland?) forest[ 896 Title Monopetalanthus exit. A systematic study of Aphanocalyx, Bikinia, Icuria, Michelsonia and Tetraberlinia Publication Wageningen Agricultural University Papers 99-4 Author Wieringa J.J. Publisher Wageningen University; Holland Year 1999 ISBN 90-5808-121-4 Description A university thesis, it is a revision of the genus Monopetalanthus and related genera with a very good description of the species, including known uses. ].