Annonaceae
Greenwayodendron suaveolens
- Ripe fruit.
- Leaf base and petiole, upper surface.
- Midrib and venation, lower surface.
- Mature leaf, upper surface.
General Information
The dark bark and straight regular trunk of this tree, as well as the small crown with horizontal branches, make it easy to recognise. In most parts of the area it is a candidate for the commonest medium sized tree. The slash is dull yellowish with a sharp smell, somewhat similar to artificial pineapple flavouring. The bark can easily be separated from the wood and in a forest camp is often used as a comfortable mattress. The leaves are quite variable in shape but usually have an elegant elongated leaf tip and a generally narrowly elliptic shape. When fresh the leaves are dark green with a yellow midrib and veins. The whole leaf dries blackish. The flowers are pale yellow with long narrow petals. The fruit are green when immature and turn almost black when ripe. They are widely consumed by many animals and the species has a very long fruiting season.
Ecology
Terra firma, mixed species and Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest.
Distribution
Distribution: Nigeria to DRC, Gabon and Angola.