Umutoyi (Fluted Milkwood)
Gambeya gorungosana
A tall evergreen forest tree (30-40m) with a straight, slender, strongly fluted and buttressed bole - its defining field character. Young growth is covered in distinctive orange-golden-brown hairs, and the bark exudes white sticky latex when cut.
- Kinyarwanda name
- Umutoyi
- English name
- Fluted Milkwood
- Scientific name
- Gambeya gorungosana
- Family
- Sapotaceae
Habitat
Afromontane rainforest, characteristic of lower montane/higher-rainfall forest slopes at 1,200-2,500m elevation.
Distribution
Tropical Africa from Cameroon to Kenya, south to Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique; confirmed present in Rwanda.
Uses
Latex and timber, construction, firewood and charcoal. Bees forage nectar from its flowers.
Ecological importance
As a canopy tree of Afromontane forest it contributes to forest structure; flowers are visited by bees for nectar.
Ibisobanuro
Latex, Kubaka, no kubaza, Amakara, guhova kw'inzuki.