Chrysobalanaceae
Parinari congensis
- Leaves, upper surface.
- Midrib and venation, leaf lower surface.
- Leaf base and glands, lower surface.
- Leaf base and glands, upper surface.
- Flower.
- Leaf base, upper surface, glands on petiole and stipular scar.
- Young leaves with stipules.
General Information
This handsome tree has leaves that are dark green on their upper surface. In contrast, the lower leaf surface has a covering of reddish golden hairs. The veins are closely parallel. A pair of glands can sometimes be seen at the base of the leaf blade, but these are sometimes absent. On the petiole there is usually a second pair of glands. This species is similar in morphology to Parinari excelsa which occurs in terra firma forest. The cordate leaf base is the easiest way to distinguish Parinari congensis. Be careful how you spell this one because there is another species with a very similar name: ‘Parinari congolana’.
Ecology
Seasonally flooded forest and riverbanks.
Distribution
Distribution: Guinea to DRC.