Xylopia acutiflora (Dunal.) A. Rich is a small tree that grows up to 15 m high, it belongs to the Annonaceae family.
Brown pubescent twigs mixed with erect and short hairs. Leaf blades chartaceous, concolorous - slightly discolorous, elliptic - elliptic-lanceolate, larger blades, 5.3 - 11.7 cm long and 2.3 - 4.3 cm wide; acute to acuminate at apex and cuneate at base. Flowers are solitary[1] Fruit green - reddish tinged exterior, scarlet endocarp, up to born on a pedicel. Seed, ovate- ellipsoid, monocarps have two rows of seed.
Native to West Africa, found in lowland forests.[2]
In Ghana and among the Ehotile people of Akanland, root extracts from the species is used as a sexual stimulant and as a chewing stick.[3] Seeds are crushed and used as spice, wood obtained are used as material to make canoe paddles, spears or bows.