Monkey Fruit (Dactyladenia barteri)

Family: Chrysobalanaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Monkey Fruit (Dactyladenia barteri) can be a climbing shrub or a small tree of up to 12 m tall with a dense and spreading crown. Its trunk is crooked and fluted, up to 40 cm in diameter. It is usually found in western tropical Africa. The plant has an extensive, deep root system making it ideal for soil erosion control. The bark and roots are used medicinally to treat a wide range of ailments.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

None known. — Harvested fresh in season according to PFAF botanical monograph.

Habitat & North American Range

Lowland forest with at least 1,200mm rainfall per year. In the forest-savannah transition zone, it is found along riverbanks, sometimes on the inland side of mangrove forest. (Zone 10)