About Lannea edulis (Sond.) Engl.
Lannea edulis (Sond.) Engl. is a subshrub that produces leafy branches from an underground rootstock. Its leaves are imparipinnately compound, with around 2 to 4 pairs of leaflets per pinnae. The leaf blade is broadly ovate to oblong, with a shiny, coriaceous surface, and measures 9 to 20 cm long and 9 to 12 cm wide. Its small flowers are yellowish to cream in color, borne on spikes or panicles near the ground, and usually emerge before the leaves. Its fruit is a berry that turns scarlet-purple when ripe. This species is endemic to parts of Angola, and also occurs in East African countries such as Tanzania, as well as in Southern Africa. Root extracts of Lannea edulis are used in traditional medicine by various communities: in Zambia, they are used to treat issues related to schistosomiasis, gonorrhea, and diarrhea, while in parts of South Africa, they are used to treat angina pectoris. The fruit is edible and is eaten by local people.
