Bersama abyssinica is a species of medium-sized evergreen tree in the family Francoaceae. The leaves are pinnately divided with a strongly winged rachis (hence the common name winged bersama).[2] The inflorescence is a spike.
This species is distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and includes two subspecies:[3]
B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. abyssinica Fresen.
B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. rosea (Hoyle) Mikkelsen[4]
The subspecies rosea is endemic to Tanzania, where it is considered vulnerable.[5]
Bersama abyssinica produces a hard, heavy wood that is used in the construction of houses in West Africa.[6]
^Mikkelsen, K. S.; O. Seberg (2001). "Morphometric analysis of the Bersama abyssinica Fresen. complex (Melianthaceae) in East Africa". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 227 (3–4): 157–182. doi:10.1007/s006060170046. S2CID28513818.
^Heywood, V. H. (ed.) (1993). Flowering Plants of the World (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 191–192. ((cite book)): |author= has generic name (help)