Irvingia Hook.f.

Ixonanthaceae, B. Verdcourt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1984

Morphology General Habit

Trees, often tall, with ovate-elliptic or elliptic entire usually±coriaceous petiolate leaves; new branchlets covered at nodes with rather large intrapetiolar stipules folded around the terminal bud

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers small, scented, in axillary and terminal panicles

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx with 4-5 small imbricate lobes.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 4-5, broadly oblong, imbricate, spreading

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 8-10, inserted at the base of the thick elevated cushion-shaped disk

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary ovoid, inserted in the depressed apex of the disk, 2-locular; ovules 1 per locule, inserted near the middle; style curved; stigma simple

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Drupes large, edible, thick and fibrous, rounded-oblong in outline, compressed, 1-locular and 1-seeded

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits Pyrene

Pyrenes with±thick wall covered with fibres

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds oblong with straight embryo, flat cotyledons and mostly copious endosperm.