Prunus africana

(Hook. f.) Kalkman

Bitter almond, African almond

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves - flavouring Potential hazards — see below 345 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Prunus africana, the African cherry, has a wide distribution in Africa, occurring in montane regions of central and southern Africa and on the islands of Bioko, São-Tomé, Grande Comore, and Madagascar. It can be found at 900–3,400 m (3,000–10,000 ft) above sea level. It is a canopy tree 30–40 m in height, and is the tallest member of Prunus. Large-diameter trees have impressive, spreading crowns. It requires a moist climate, 900–3,400 mm (35–130 in) annual rainfall, and is moderately frost-tolerant. P. africana appears to be a light-demanding, secondary-forest species. The bark is black to brown, corrugated or fissured, and scaly, fissuring in a characteristic rectangular pattern. The leaves are alternate, simple, 8–20 cm (3.1–7.9 in) long, elliptical, bluntly or acutely pointed, glabrous, and dark green above, pale green below, with mildly serrated margins. A central vein is depressed on top, prominent on the bottom. The 2 cm (0.8 in) petiole is pink or red. The flowers are androgynous, with 10–20 stamens, insect-pollinated, 3–8 cm (1–3 in), greenish white or buff, and are distributed in 70 mm (2.8 in) axillary racemes. The plant flowers October through May. The fruit is a drupe, red to brown, 7–13 mm (0.3–0.5 in), wider than long, two-lobed, with a seed in each lobe. It grows in bunches ripening September through November, several months after pollination.

Description

An evergreen tree. It grows 25 m wide. The trunk can be 1 m across. It can be 10 m before branching. The crown is round. The limbs are large. The bark is almost black and very rough. The flowers are greenish-white. The fruit are purple.

Edible Uses

None known

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The bark is highly valued medicinally, particularly as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate gland hypertrophy, conditions that commonly affect older men in Europe and North America, and modern research has confirmed it can be an effective treatment. In traditional medicine the bark is also used as a purgative and as a remedy for stomach ache. The leaves are used as an inhalant for fever or drunk as an infusion to improve appetite. The tree contains several medically active compounds, including the cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin found in the bark, leaf, and fruit; phytosterols such as ß-sitosterol (15–18%) and its 3-O-glycoside, ß-sitostenone, campesterol, and aucosterol; and pentacyclic triterpenoids, mainly of the oleanolic and ursolic acid type.

Known Hazards

The bark, bruised leaves and fruits smell strongly of bitter almonds, suggesting the presence of hydrogen cyanide. They are reputed to be poisonous and are used in witchcraft. The plant (especially the seed and young shoots) contains cyanogenic glycosides, especially amygdalin and prunasin. When injested, these compounds break down in the digestive tract to release cyanide. Used in small quantities in both traditional and conventional medicine, this exceedingly poisonous compound has been shown to stimulate respiration, improve digestion, and promote a sense of well-being. It is also claimed by some to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer - though this claim has been largely refuted. In larger concentrations, however, cyanide can cause gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure leading to death. The fruits and flowers of most members of this genus generally have low or very low concentrations of this toxin, though the seeds and young shoots can contain much higher levels. The levels of toxin can be detected by the level of bitterness:- for example sweet tasting almond seeds are a major food crop and are often eaten in quantity, whilst bitter tasting almond seeds are used as a flavouring (in marzipan for example) but are not usually eaten on their own. In general, it can be considered safe to eat any fruit or seed from species in this genus that either have a sweet flavour or are slightly bitter. Great caution should be taken, however, if the flavour is moderately to very bitter.

Distribution

It is an tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forest and mountain areas in West Africa. It is recorded up to 2,100 m above sea level in Nigeria.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

A tree of higher elevations in the humid and semi-humid tropics, also of middle elevations in the humid tropics, it is found at elevations from 900 - 3,400 metres. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature is within the range 14 - 18°c, but can tolerate 12 - 26°c. It prefers a climate with a distinct dry season and a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,400mm, but can tolerate 700 - 2,000mm. Requires a sunny position. Prefers medium to light soils. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, but tolerates 5 - 7. The tree is able to withstand severe bark removal so long as the cambium layer is not damaged, but poor harvesting of the bark may lead to tree death. The bark is only collected from two quarters of the circumference of the tree, each quarter on opposite sides of the tree. It is harvested from about 35cm above the ground level to the height of the first branch. In this way, it is thought that the bark can be harvested sustainably every 4 - 5 years, harvesting from alternate pairs of quarters each time. Mean bark yield per tree is 55 kg, ranging from a low of 34 kg up to 74 kg. Bark removal induces early flowering.

Propagation

Seed does not require pre-treatment. It has a fairly short viability period and is best sown as soon as it is ripe. Under ideal conditions germination takes place within 35–50 days, with an expected germination rate of 60–80% from a mature, healthy seed lot.

Other Uses

The tree is used in agroforestry for erosion control, shade, shelter, windbreaks, and as an ornamental. Fallen leaves act as a green manure. The heartwood is pale red when freshly cut, darkening to a rich red on exposure to air; the sapwood is pale pink and not clearly defined. The texture is medium to fine with a straight to interlocked grain. The wood is strong but not durable. Seasoned wood saws easily and cleanly, works well with hand and machine tools, is difficult to nail, and polishes and finishes well. It is suitable for flooring, heavy construction where durability is not critical, furniture, and household utensils. The tree also yields a high-quality fuel.

Production

Trees often fruit every second year.

Other Information

They are eaten especially by children.

Notes

It is widely used in medicine including for prostrate conditions. It is an at risk plant.

Synonyms

Pygaeum africanum Hook. f.Pygeum crassifolium HaumanLaurocerasus africana (Hook.f.) Browicz

Also Known As

Chachu, Garbicho, Muchambati, Muiri, Red stinkwood, Thikur inchet, Tikur enchet

References (14)

Addis, G., et al, 2005, Ethnobotanical Study of Edible Wild Plants in Some Selected Districts of Ethiopia. Human Ecology, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 83-118
Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 4. Kew.
Chapman, J. D. & Chapman, H. M., 2001, The Forest Flora of Taraba and Andamawa States, Nigeria. WWF & University of Canterbury. p 196
Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 55, 83
INFOODSUpdatedFGU-list.xls

Show all 14 references

Ingram, V., et al, Non-timber Forest Products: Contribution to National Economy and Strategies for Sustainable Development . Chapter 7 p 145
Lulekal, E., et al, 2011, Wild edible plants in Ethiopia: a review on their potential to combat food insecurity. Afrika Focus - Vol. 24, No 2. pp 71-121
Molla, A., Ethiopian Plant Names. http://www.ethiopic.com/aplants.htm
Sina, B. & Degu, H. D., 2015, Knowledge and use of Wild Edible Plants in the Hula District of the Sidama Zone. International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management 6(3):352-365
Stewart, K. M., 2003, The African cherry (Prunus africana): From hoe-handles to the International Herb Market. Economic Botany 57(4):559-569
von Katja Rembold, 2011, Conservation status of the vascular plants in East African rain forests. Dissertation Universitat Koblenz-Landau p 179
White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. and Chapman, J. D., 2001, Evergreen Forest Flora of Malawi. Kew. p 453
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
www.zimbabweflora.co.zw 2011