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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Plukenetia conophora is an evergreen Perennial Climber growing to 18 m (59ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Angostylidium conophorum (Müll. Arg.) Pax & K. Hoffm. Cleidion mannii Baker. Cleidion preussii (Pax) Baker. Mallotus preussii Pax. Tetracarpidium conophorum (Müll.Arg.) Hutch. & Dalziel. Tetracarpidium staudtii Pax.
Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Oil Seed Shoots
Edible Uses: Oil
Edible Portion: Nuts, Leaves, Fruit, Nuts - oil, Seeds, Vegetable. Seed - raw or cooked. The tasty seed has a pleasant odour, it is usually eaten boiled or roasted, and is often served with corn on the cob[63 , 301 ]. The seed can be ground into a powder and used with flour in making cakes[332 ]. Eaten raw they have a bitter flavour not unlike the kola nut and are considered to be tonic[332 ]. The seed is thin-shelled and about 25mm long[63 ]. The seed yields 48 - 60% of a light golden coloured oil with a flavour resembling linseed oil[332 ]. The oil comprises linolenic acid 64%; palmitic and stearic acids 15%; oleic acid 11 %; and linoleic acid 10%[332 ]. Fruit - eaten with rice[301 ]. Leaves and young shoots - eaten with rice[301 ]. Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: protein-oil (The term staple crop typically refers to a food that is eaten routinely and accounts for a dominant part of people's diets in a particular region of the world) [1-1].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Aphrodisiac Tonic
The leaves are considered a headache cure[332 ]. The raw seed is aphrodisiac and tonic[332 ]. The oil obtained from the seeds has medicinal use in massages[332 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Oil Paint Varnish
The seed yields 48 - 60% of a drying oil[46 , 332 ]. The oil dries more quickly than linseed oil[46 ]. Known as awusa oil in the paint and varnish trade, it is usable in the paint industry provided there is a certain supply and the kernels are free from excessive free fatty acids[332 ]. It is unsuitable for soap-manufacture[332 ]. The fresh oil has an iodine value of 190, which is excellent for a drying oil, but the seeds do not store well and deterioration caused by enzymatic action needs to be prevented at the time of collection by heat-treatment[332 ].
Special Uses
Carbon Farming Food Forest
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Management: Standard Regional Crop Staple Crop: Protein-oil
Climate: tropical. Humidity: humid. Cultivated in the hot and humid zones of tropical Africa around gardens and backyards, mainly for subsistence consumption. Grows on moist, deep, fertile, well-drained loam soils and in silt clay loam soils. Nut production is seasonal. The kernels can yield 50-60% oil. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop only. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation) [1-1].
Carbon Farming
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Management: Standard
Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
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Regional Crop
These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
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Staple Crop: Protein-oil
(16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Propagation
Plants are grown from seed. It can be grown from stem cuttings.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Conophor tree or conophor nut. Nigerian walnut, Botito, Conophor, Ekporo, Kaso, Kasu, Lokaso, Ngezi, Okhue, Owusa nut, Tiito, Tito, Ukpa, Wanut. Tetracarpidium conophorum (Müll.Arg.) Hutch. & Dalziel is a synonym of Plukenetia conophora Müll.Arg.
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, Congo R, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, West Africa
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
None Known
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Müll. Arg.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Plukenetia conophora
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