Tree, with a spreading crown. Leaves 6–32 cm long; leaflets (3–)4–6(–7) pairs, elliptic to ovate-elliptic, 2.3–9(–12) x 1.5–6(-7.2) cm, rounded to obtuse and often emarginate at the apex. Racemes erect, simple or once forked. Flowers sweetly scented; hypanthium 1.1–2.5 cm long. Outer sepals 0.9–1.7 cm long, inner sepals 1.7–2.5 cm long. Petal turned upwards, 2.5–4.5 cm long, bilobed, pubescent and green outside, red inside. Pods straight, 7–23 x 4.5–8.3 cm. Seeds black, 2–3.4 x 0.9–1.7 cm, with a red or orange cup-shaped aril.
Range
S1, 3 E Kenya, Tanzania and southwards to Angola and Transvaal.
Altitude range
50–300 m.
Distribution
SOMALIA Senni 185, 314; Beckett & White 1666, 1749.
Notes
Atio collo, dabal, dhambal, ged bured (Som.). The timber is much prized for furniture and various carpentry-works.
