A tree to 10 m high, often less, of disjuncted distribution, along the coastal strip from Senegal to Liberia to 300 km inland in sandy localities, and secondly 700–1,000 km inland Mali to Niger and N Nigeria on banks of sandy seasonal watercourses and on sandstone cliffs, conjecturally a relic vegetation from an earlier wetter climate (22).The tree appears to survive annual firing in savanna and in northern Sierra Leone it is often the only tree of any stature attaining double the normal height to 20 m, with girth of 1.30 m (21).The wood is light brown and fairly hard. It works and polishes well and is suitable for planks and building timber (5, 13). The Nankanni of Ghana use the wood for making canoes (Lynn fide 12). In Liberia it serves to produce charcoal (2), and firewood in The Gambia (20).A decoction of the bark, leaves or dried fruit pulp is much used over the Region as a gargle-cum-mouthwash for toothache (5, 12; Senegal, 14–17). The leaves may also be chewed (5), or applied topically (15) for the same end. A decoction of bark or leaves is taken internally for respiratory troubles, and a lotion made from the macerated bark is instilled into the eyes for inflammation (5). In The Gambia powdered bark is used in application over deep-seated pain (23).In Senegal (Casamance) the powdered root in a water decoction is used as a gargle against toothache and the root-bark is considered haemostatic and cicitrisant on wounds, especially by the Banyun and Efok in circumcision (14–17). In Cayor (Senegal) the powdered root is taken with fuf (Wolof, Securidaca longepedunculata Fres., Polygalaceae) as a poison-antidote (14, 17). The root has unspecified medicinal use in The Gambia (10).The fruit is ellipsoid about 5 cm long. Before maturity fishermen in Senegal obtain a sticky substance from it for smearing on their tackle and to stop cracks in leaking pots (Sébire fide 5). The endocarp is surrounded by a soft mealy pulp that is edible and evokes the name ‘rotten plum’ (5). The pulp is everywhere eaten but it is not ubiquitously favoured, perhaps on account of flavour, perhaps because other choicer fruits are in season. In The Gambia it is not so much appreciated as is the closely related mampato fruit (Mandinka, Parinari excelsa) (6). Nor is it liked by the Limba of northern Sierra Leone (7). Yet in Guinea-Bissau it is said to be much liked (11), and farmers in Casamance (Senegal) clearing the bush retain the tree for the sake of its fruit: thus the tree enters into a form of semi-cultivation (1). In Sokoto market in N Nigeria the fruit is said to be available all the year round (19). In parts of Senegal a fruit-decoction is taken against diarrhoea (14, 17).The endocarp bears within it a layer of hairs which can be used for tinder (5). A similar tinder occurs in other African species, and also in an Indo-Chinese species (3). The hairs are also held to be anthelmintic in children. In Ivory Coast, because they tend to stick in the gullet, the hairs are administered with a ripe banana taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (18). In Guinea the endocarp is sold in markets as sikuni (Susu) as a vermifuge for taking with milk or better still with a banana. In Konakry Government hospital tests conducted showed evidence of affectiveness against helminths (14, 18). In this treatment the endocarpic hairs were placed in capsules for ease of swallowing. The hairs have been shown to contain ceryl palmitate. See also Bafodeya benna.The kernel is edible. It is the source of neou oil which takes its name from the Wolof vernacular. It is an excellent drying oil and is composed of oleic acid 40%, eleostearic acid 31 %, linoleic acid 15%, palmitic acid 12% and stearic acid 2% (4, 9). The kernel also contains some protein and two phytosterols: parincerium sterol A and B (18). Neou oil finds local use in Sierra Leone mixed with palm-oil as a pleasant-smelling body-unguent (7). The fruit-rind is also similarly used (5). The ratio of the endocarp to the kernel is about 85: 15%. The kernel has been recorded as containing 62% oil, while 9% has been found in the endocarp (14). The nut is burnt to ash in The Gambia (23), and in Sierra Leone (8) for making soap.The plant has superstitious usage in Senegal. In parts the root enters into a charm against bad luck (14), and branches are placed before new huts about to be occupied for the first time as a fetish to bring good luck (16). The Wolof endow the roots with power to relieve one possessed or tormented by Shades of the Departed (17).