Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G.Don

A large tree. It grows to 20 m tall. The trunk is 1 m across. The crown is spreading. The bark is scaly. The leaves are dark green and twice divided. There are 50-70 pairs of leaflets along 14-30 pairs of leaflet stalks. The flower clusters are pink or red. These are in round balls on stalks 30 cm long. The fruit are pods 50 cm long. A cluster of pods occur together. The ripe seeds develop a yellowish tinge when ripe. There is pink, dry, powdery flesh around them. The fruit are edible.

It is a tropical plant. It often grows near water. It grows in the Sahel. It grows in savannah. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 500-700 mm per year. It is best on deep loamy sands. It can grow in arid places. In Rockhampton Botanical Gardens.

The seeds are normally roasted. They are then bruised and allowed to ferment in water. They are then washed and ground into powder. It can be stored for long periods. The seeds can be processed into a vegetable cheese. This is used as a spice to season sauces and soups. The flesh of the fruit is edible. A drink is also made from the flesh of the fruit. The bark is used in relishes and chutneys as a flavouring.

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds are put into boiling water then allowed to cool to improve their germination. They can be transplanted after 10-14 weeks. Plants can be grown from root suckers. Plants can be budded.