47.214.193.24: Wikifruit: independently reviewed article maintenance

2026-09-30T00:35:47Z

Wikifruit: independently reviewed article maintenance

New page

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; width: 320px; margin-left: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 1em;"
! colspan="2" style="background: #e8e8e8;" | ''Uapaca acuminata''
|-
! Scientific name
| ''Uapaca acuminata'' [[#cite_note-1|[1]]]
|-
! Family
| [[Phyllanthaceae]] [[#cite_note-1|[1]]]
|-
! Order
| [[Malpighiales]] [[#cite_note-2|[2]]]
|-
! Genus
| [[Uapaca]]
|-
! Growth form
| Large wet-tropical forest tree [[#cite_note-3|[3]]]
|-
! Native range
| West and west-central tropical Africa [[#cite_note-2|[2]]]
|-
! Height
| 15–35 m [[#cite_note-4|[4]]]
|-
! Fruit
| Ellipsoid, about 20–25 mm long and 18–20 mm wide; three seeds reported [[#cite_note-4|[4]]]
|}

''Uapaca acuminata'' is a large tree of wet tropical forest in West and west-central Africa. It is accepted in current taxonomic treatments and belongs to the family [[Phyllanthaceae]]. [[#cite_note-1|[1]]] The species is dioecious, so a planting intended for fruit and seed production needs both male and female plants. [[#cite_note-4|[4]]]

== Description ==

The tree is recorded at 15–35 m high, with a bole up to 80 cm in diameter and stilt roots reported to reach 6 m. Its native setting is primary and secondary rain forest at elevations up to about 200 m. [[#cite_note-4|[4]]] The Guineo-Congolese revision of ''Uapaca'' describes stilt roots as characteristic of forest members of the genus, while noting that they can be absent in some settings. [[#cite_note-3|[3]]]

The native range includes southern Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, western Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and northern Angola. [[#cite_note-2|[2]]] The recorded dimensions and root architecture indicate a tree that needs substantial space when grown beyond the seedling stage.

== Cultivation ==

=== Soil and water ===

The species is associated with wet tropical rain forest, and forest ''Uapaca'' commonly has stilt roots. [[#cite_note-3|[3]]] As a genus-level inference from that setting, begin with a deep, organic medium that retains moisture while draining freely. This is a cautious starting point rather than a measured soil or irrigation requirement for ''Uapaca acuminata''.

=== Sun and humidity ===

Its native distribution is wet tropical forest. [[#cite_note-2|[2]]] As a genus-level starting inference, keep young plants warm and humid with filtered light, and treat any move toward stronger exposure as a gradual cultivation trial rather than a fixed species-specific light prescription.

=== Seasonal changes ===

As a genus-level inference from its wet-forest habitat, protect young plants from prolonged dry-season drought. [[#cite_note-2|[2]]] This is a cautious starting point, not a species-specific irrigation schedule or flowering calendar.

== Propagation ==

Seed is the documented propagation route for ''Uapaca acuminata''. [[#cite_note-4|[4]]] Because the species is dioecious, a single seedling should not be treated as a dependable fruiting plan: both male and female plants are needed when fruit and seed production are the objective. [[#cite_note-4|[4]]]

== Flowering, fruiting, and harvest ==

''Uapaca acuminata'' has separate male and female plants. A fruiting planting consequently needs access to both sexes. [[#cite_note-4|[4]]]

The reported fruit is ellipsoid, approximately 20–25 mm long and 18–20 mm wide, and contains three seeds. [[#cite_note-4|[4]]] These measurements describe fruit form; they do not provide a harvest date or a ripeness cue.

== Fruit and uses ==

The available species account records local wild harvesting probably for food, but that wording is tentative and does not establish species-specific edibility, sweetness, juiciness, or safety. [[#cite_note-4|[4]]] A generalized description of ''Uapaca'' fruit should not be treated as a species-specific food recommendation.

== References ==

* [[#cite_ref-1|↑]] '''[1]''' [https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/match?name=Uapaca%20acuminata GBIF species match for Uapaca acuminata].

* [[#cite_ref-2|↑]] '''[2]''' [https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:358099-1 ''Uapaca acuminata'' | Plants of the World Online].

* [[#cite_ref-3|↑]] '''[3]''' [https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.2013.770 Breteler, F. J. (2013), ''Uapaca (Phyllanthaceae) in the Guineo-Congolian forest region: a synoptic revision'', Plant Ecology and Evolution 146:75–94].

* [[#cite_ref-4|↑]] '''[4]''' [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Uapaca+acuminata ''Uapaca acuminata'' | Useful Tropical Plants Database].

Uapaca acuminata - Revision history

47.214.193.24: Wikifruit: independently reviewed article maintenance