Entada abyssinica Steudel ex A. Rich.

Entada abyssinica is a small to medium-sized, deciduous tree, 3-15 m high, with a flat, spreading crown; bark grey to reddish, slightly fissured, flaking off in irregular patches; slash pink with streaks of red; branchlets pendulous, glabrous or sometimes pubescent. Leaves alternate, bipinnate, stipules absent; pinnae 1-22 pairs; leaflets 15-55 pairs, mostly linear-oblong, 13-14 x 1-4 mm; apex round to slightly obtuse and slightly mucronate, appressed, pubescent above and below, or sometimes glabrous above, rarely entirely glabrous; petiole glandular. Inflorescence 1-4 axillary racemes, 7-16 cm (including the 4-15 mm peduncle); flowers creamy white or fading yellowish, sweet scented. Fruit a large, flat legume, 15-39 x 3-9 cm, subcoriaceous, straight or nearly so, with no conspicuous seed segments; seeds oval, flat, 10-13 x 8-10 mm; pod splitting between each seed, leaving the pod rim and forming a wing for the seeds. E. abyssinica superficially resembles an acacia tree, from which it can be distinguished by its bipinnate leaves and the absence of thorns. The name ‘Entada’ is derived from an East Indian vernacular name. The specific name means ‘from Ethiopia’.

Flowering takes place during the rainy season, and the fruit ripens towards the end of the rainy season, extending into the dry season. In Nigeria it flowers from January to March and from May to August. In Sudan it flowers in June and fruits in November.

E. abyssinica prefers sandy loam soils.

E. abyssinica is an understorey forest species found in association with Albizia zygia and A. hockii. It extends from Guinea to Cameroon and is also widespread in central and eastern tropical Africa. It is usually found in a savannah habitat.

Pretreatment of the seed is sometimes necessary because of the hardness of the seed coat. Seed germination is very high: 70-100%. The species regenerates naturally from coppice and seed. Root suckers are produced if the root is wounded.

Coppicing is a suitable practice. The species prefers open areas, so slashing of herbaceous vegetation in its natural habitat might boost its growth and yield.

Seed storage behaviour is orthodox. There are 3600-4200 seeds/kg.

Shade or shelter: Often conserved around homesteads and in coffee and tea plantations for light shade. Nitrogen fixing: E. abyssinica has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Ornamental: A good avenue tree, and it is planted for this purpose. Intercropping: The tree grows well with crops.

Fodder: The leaves are suitable for fodder. Fuel: E. abyssinica is often used as firewood. Timber: Heartwood is pale brown, occasionally tinged with pink, and is moderately light and easy to work. Tannin or dyestuff: The root contains a saponin, entada saponin, and an alkaloid. Poison: Juice of the bark and cambium has been used as ordeal poison under the eyelid. Medicine: The plant is used in the treatment of miscarriage, and the leaf for fever. A decoction of the bark is taken for coughs, chronic bronchial engorgement, rheumatic pains and abdominal pain. An infusion of crushed roots is good for bronchial problems. A root or leaf decoction is used as a fever remedy; powdered or roasted pulverized seeds for sneezing; root bark as a massage for swelling; and the raw fruit induces vomiting as an antidote to snake venom. The seeds treat cataracts and diseases of the back of the eye. Other products: Ashes from the wood are suitable for soap making.