ON THIS PLANT
Erythrophleum suaveolens, also known as the ordeal tree, is a species of flowering plant that can be found across most of tropical Africa. The species are 20 metres (66 ft) in height, and have a rough and blackish bark. The plants leaves have 2–3 pairs of pinnae, which carry 7–13 leaflets. The leaflets are 5 by 2.5 centimetres (1.97 in × 0.98 in), are green coloured and ovate. The flowers have fluffy spikes, and are creamy-yellow coloured. Fruits are hard, the pod of which is flat.The bark of the tree has been used in Liberia to make a toxic concoction used for a form of trial by ordeal called "sassywood". This use has given it the common name of the "Ordeal Tree".
CHARACTERISTICS
Botanical profile.
- Genus
- Erythrophleum
- Family
- Fabaceae
ALSO KNOWN AS
Other names.
en Ordealtree en Sasswoodtree en Sassy-bark-tree en Sassybark en Erun en Red-water-tree en Sasswood en Forest ordeal tree en Redwater tree
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