Ordeal Tree | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Genus: | Erythrophleum |
Species: | E. suaveolens |
Binomial name | |
Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan |
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Synonyms | |
Fillaea suaveolens Guill. & Perr. |
Fillaea suaveolens Guill. & Perr.
Erythrophleum suaveolens is a species of plants that can be found in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The species are 20 metres (66 ft) in height, and have a rough and blackish bark. The plants liaves 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".