Vitellaria

Vitellaria
Shea tree
Shea nuts
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Sapotaceae
Subfamily: Sapotoideae
Genus: Vitellaria
C.F.Gaertn.
Species:
V. paradoxa
Binomial name
Vitellaria paradoxa
C.F.Gaertn.
Synonyms
  • Butyrospermum Kotschy
  • Micadania R.Br.
  • Butyrospermum paradoxum (C.F.Gaertn.) Hepper
  • Butyrospermum parkii (G.Don) Kotschy
  • Lucuma paradoxa (C.F.Gaertn.) A.DC.

Vitellaria paradoxa (formerly Butyrospermum parkii), commonly known as shea tree, shi tree (/ˈʃiː(ə)/, also /ʃeɪ/), or vitellaria, is a tree of the family Sapotaceae. It is the only species in the genus Vitellaria, and is indigenous to Africa.

The shea fruit consists of a thin, tart, nutritious pulp that surrounds a relatively large, oil-rich seed from which shea butter is extracted. It is a deciduous tree usually 7–15 m (23–49 ft) tall, but has reached 25 m (82 ft) and a trunk diameter of 2 m (6.6 ft).

The shea tree is a traditional African food plant. It has been said to have potential to improve nutrition, boost food supply in the "annual hungry season", foster rural development, and support sustainable land care.

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