Detarium senegalense J.F.Gmel.

A small tree. It grows to 5-7 m high in savannah areas. It can be 36 m high. It has a short trunk and a spreading crown. The bark is grey and rough. It flakes off in angular sections. The bark is hard to cut. The leaves are made up of 5-12 leaflets along a stalk. The leaves are 6-10 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide. They are rounded at the base. The leaves are pale green and leathery. The leaflet stalk is stout and 3-5 mm long. The flowers are creamy white. They occur in clusters. Individual flowers are 10 mm across. The fruit are round or oval and 4 cm across. They contain one seed. The flesh is edible. The flesh is green and a fibrous network attaches to the hard shell of the seed. The kernel of the seed is a deep purple brown.

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical Africa. It grows in savannah woodland. It occurs where the rainfall is 900-1600 mm per year. It also grows near beaches and coastal sand dunes.

The sweet pulp of the fruit is eaten fresh. It is also dried. CAUTION: The seeds are said to be poisonous. There are toxic and non toxic varieties. Sweet pulp from the roots is used as a substitute for sugar.

Plants are grown by seed.