Bersama abyssinica is a species of medium-sized evergreen tree in the Melianthaceae 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: \n* B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. abyssinica Fresen. \n* 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.