Lannea edulis is a small deciduous shrub that commonly occurs in East and Southern Africa, it belongs to the Anacardiaceae family.

It has leafy branches produced from underground rootstock (sub-shrub).

Leaves are imparipinnately compound, with about 2-4 pairs of leaflets per pinnae; the leaf-blade is broadly ovate to oblong with a shiny and coriaceous surface, measuring about 9-20 cm long and 9-12 cm wide.

[2][3] Flowers are small, yellowish to cream colored and are produced on spikes or panicles near the ground, typically appearing before the leaves.

[4] Root extracts are used in traditional medical practices by various communities; in Zambia it is used to treat problems associated with schistosomiasis, gonorrhea and diarrhea, in parts of South Africa, it is used to treat angina pectoris.