Leguminosae-Mim.
Tetrapleura tetraptera
- Fruiting branch.
- Leaflets, lower surface.
- Sub-opposite petioles.
- Flowers.
- Fruit cut transversely to reveal brown seed.
- Leaf.
- Inflorescences, one in bud and one with open flowers.
- Fruit and leaf.
General Information
The fruit of this species are very distinctive. They are about 15 cm long and have four wings running along their length. If one cuts open the fruit one can see that there are two different kinds of wings: one a thinner pair which contains the seed, and the other a slightly thicker pair. Animals such as gorillas will eat these thicker wings and discard the rest of the fruit which then look like flatter fruit with neat teeth marks in lines down both sides. The flowers are white in bud and pink when open. The leaves, like many members of the subfamily Mimosoideae, are bipinnate, that is, the leaf is divided twice, with the leaflets grouped in pinnae and groups of pinnae attached to a rachis or central axis forming a whole leaf.
Ecology
Terra firma forest, especially in disturbed areas.
Distribution
Distribution: Senegal to Tanzania and Angola.