Nkobakoba, Nkoba
Description
An evergreen tree with a crown that is often wide and spreading; 5-35m tall. The cylindrical bole is usually straight; it can be free of branches for 3.5 - 20m; around 20-60cm in diameter; often fluted at the base and rarely with buttresses. Compound leaves with 3-8 leaflets. It produces large showy flowers up to 20cm long. Fruits a flattened woody pod 17-40cm long.
Ecology
Rain forest; periodically flooded riparian formations; gallery forest to mountain forest up to 1,800m elevation.
Distribution
Tropical Africa.
Uses
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood, and fruit is also sometimes used as a famine food. The wood is also sometimes traded. The tree is sometimes planted as a shade-providing avenue tree, and is very ornamental because of its very large, handsome flowers which can be around 25cm in diameter.