Entry for Bombacopsis glabra (Pasq.) A. Robyns [family BOMBACACEAE]
Entry From
Burkill, H.M. 1985. The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol 1
Description
A tree to nearly 10 m high introduced from Central America and planted around villages in the West African region. In Zaïre it is said to be able to grow spontaneously on sandy soils in certain localities (3).The young leaves are said to be eaten in Equatorial Africa (Sillans fide 2). The seeds are oily and are eaten in Sierra Leone (1, 4), Liberia (5) and in Zaïre (3), and doubtless elsewhere. In Sierra Leone the seeds are likened to groundnuts, hence the local English and Krio names, English, or Whiteman’s Groundnut. The common French name in Africa, noyer d’Amérique, is misapplied and refers properly to Pachira aquatica Aubl. (Bombacaceae) with similar dietetic use (3).
References
References:1. Deighton 4148, K. 2. Irvine, 1961: 190, as Bombax sessilis (Benth.) Bakh. 3. Robyns, 1963: 199, with reference to the seeds. 4. Savill & Fox, 1967: 55. 5. Voorhoeve, 1965: 65.
