Fabaceae FAMILY
Baphia massaiensis
Baphia massaiensis
Edibility
1/5
Medicinal
0/5
Safety & Hazards
None known
Botanical Description
Baphia massaiensis is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 10 metres tall. The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a coffee substitute and for making toothbrushes. The plant is quite attractive, producing flowers in attractive short sprays, these are white with a yellow spot at the base of the standard petal, and are sweetly jasmine-scented.
Habitat & Origin
Origintropical
Native RangeAfrica - Tanzania, Angola, southern DR Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, northern S. Africa.
HabitatFound at elevations from 1,100 - 1,350 metres[ 610 Title Flora of Tropical East Africa Publication Author Beentje H.J. Website http://plants.jstor.org/search?st=396814 Publisher Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew. Year 2002 ISBN Description Available on-line, a modern flora of East Africa. ].