Black Guarea (Leplaea thompsonii)

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

Grown in Western tropical Africa, Black Guarea or Leplaea thompsonii is a medium-sized to large evergreen, shade-bearer tree growing about 35 m in height, with a straight and cylindrical trunk of up to 105 cm in diameter and can be branchless for up to 20 m. It sometimes has buttresses at the base that are short and blunt. The tree is a dioecious species and can flower and produce fruits throughout the year.

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

A sub-canopy tree in lowland evergreen rainforest, usually primary forest. It is most common in moist evergreen forest, especially in undisturbed forest, but it occurs also in moister types of semi-deciduous forest. (Zone 10)