Shea Butter (Vitellaria paradoxa)
Description
he shea, or tree butter ( Vitellaria paradoxa, syn. Butyrospermum parkii ) is a plant of the family of Sapotaceae, widespread in Africa. It is between 10 and 15 meters high, with a trunk that can reach one meter in diameter. The bark is very thick to protect itself from the high temperatures present in the savannah . The plant is endowed with squat branches, equipped with the same of a robust bark. The leaves , which grow in tufts on these, are elongated and are provided with a petiole long on average from 5 to 15 cm; in youth they are of a red color tending to rust, developing they acquire a color tending to dark green and can increase their dimensions of length and width respectively from 15 to 25 cm and from 4 to 7 cm. The plant blooms in a period that extends from December to March, the flowers they are green with shades of yellow and pleasant fragrance.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Ericales
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Family: Sapotaceae
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Genus: Vitellaria
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