Small Fruited Voacanga

africana: African

Shrub or small tree. Bark greyish, smooth; branches with conspicuous lenticels. Milky latex present. Leaves opposite with axillary glands, sessile, broadly elliptic to obovate, c. 15-17 cm long; apex rather abruptly and distinctly pointed. Flowers 3-4 cm in diameter, white, in large terminal and axillary heads, strongly and unpleasantly scented. Fruit asymmetrically ovoid to round, c. 5 cm long, mottled green with brown lenticels, turning pale brown when dry.

Very rare in Zimbabwe.

Widespread in tropical Africa and in the islands of the Gulf of Guinea.