Bersama abyssinica
# Bersama abyssinica

Bersama abyssinica is a species of medium-sized evergreen tree in the Francoaceae family. The leaves are pinnately divided with a strongly winged rachis (hence the common name winged bersama). The inflorescence is a spike.

This species is distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and includes two subspecies:

* B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. abyssinica Fresen.
* B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. rosea (Hoyle) Mikkelsen

The subspecies rosea is endemic to Tanzania, where it is considered vulnerable.

Bersama abyssinica produces a hard, heavy wood that is used in the construction of houses in West Africa.

