Erun (Erythrophleum suaveolens)

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

Sasswood Tree or Erythrophleum suaveolens is a very popular medicinal tree in Africa. It grows usually about 25 m in height with bole diameter of up to 90 cm. It is also planted as an ornamental tree in some areas. The bark is used in arrow poisons and as ordeal poison; bark and leaves are used as fish poison. Different forms of the bark are used to treat illnesses such as heart failure, swelling caused by Filaria, headache, and body pains.

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

Moist semi-deciduous forests, gallery forest and wooded grasslands, from sea-level up to elevations of 1,100 metres. It is absent from the evergreen forest. (Zone 10)