The Fruits are pods, from 2-5 inches long according to the number of seeds, generally 2, rarely 3, and an inch in width. They are flat, light brown or whitish in colour, in pendulous masses, very conspicuous and the seeds are chestnut brown, ½ inch long, shiny, flat and with a deeply indented hilum. They remain on the tree for a long time.
Uses.—An infusion of the roots with water is used as a tonic.
LOPHIRA ALATA Banks.—Namijin Kadai, Mijin Kadai. “Meni Oil Tree.” DIPTEROCARPACEAE.
This is one of the type species of the tree savannah and strongly resembles at first sight the Shea, since both have strap-shaped leaves. This is the only close resemblance and even they are easily distinguished from one another, see below. It attains a height of some 40 feet with a girth up to 6 feet, and has a tall, regular, rather open crown occupying at least two-thirds of the height and often more. The branches ascend at an acute angle to the stem so that the form is narrowed, another distinguishing feature between it and the Shea. It prefers good deep soils and its northern limit is about 12° N.
The Bark is light grey with even-sized scales 1-2 inches long, 1 inch wide and ¼ inch thick. That of the smaller branches is softly corky. The scales are not prominent, nor is there a milky sap, two other features distinguishing it from the Shea. The slash is crimson with bright yellow edges.
The Wood is a dull reddish-brown. The transverse section shows indistinct light rings, close together, the pores small and scattered singly and widely throughout the hard and soft tissue which is clearly separated in thin, wavy concentric dark and light lines. The rays are exceedingly fine and invisible to the naked eye. In vertical section the pores show as if filled with some chalky matter and the grain is straight with the hard and soft tissue marked in fine lines, and the rays as numerous small bands in radial section. The wood is hard to saw and plane, picking up in places, but elsewhere finishes smooth. It is tough and strong and weighs 65 lbs. a cubic foot.
The Leaves are strap-shaped, some 12 inches long, 3-4 inches broad, with an inch stalk. The margin is waved, the mid-rib alone prominent on both surfaces. The venation is extremely delicate, visible when held to the light. The new leaves are bright red, the red colour fading from the base upwards. The surface is shining, the texture soft. Clustered round the end 3-4 inches of the twigs, they appear like rosettes. The delicate venation, short stalk and red tips distinguish it from the Shea.
The Flowers are in clusters on long stalks amongst the leaves and resemble Apple blossom. They are white, cup-shaped, 1½ inches across, with 5 notched white petals and a ring of numerous yellow stamens round a stout bifid pistil. The calyx consists of 5 sepals, 3 small and round, 2 larger and red tipped, the latter enlarging to form the wings of the seed. They are scented, visited by bees and appear from November to February.