Detarium senegalense

J. F. Gmelin

Tallow tree, Dattock

Fabaceae Edible: Seeds, Fruit, Kernels, Nuts, Leaves, Caution, Vegetable Potential hazards — see below 29 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Detarium senegalense is a leguminous tree in the subfamily Detarioideae. Unlike most members of the family, it produces globular fruits. Its common names include ditax, ditakh, detar, and tallow tree. The tree is of value for several reasons: the fruit is nutritious, is locally prominent in folk medicine, and is a source of quality timber. It could contribute to food security, sustainable land care, and rural development. As its Linnaean name indicates, it is native to Senegal and the surrounding countries of West Africa.

Description

A small tree. It grows to 5-7 m high in savannah areas. It can be 36 m high. It has a short trunk and a spreading crown. The bark is grey and rough. It flakes off in angular sections. The bark is hard to cut. The leaves are made up of 5-12 leaflets along a stalk. The leaves are 6-10 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide. They are rounded at the base. The leaves are pale green and leathery. The leaflet stalk is stout and 3-5 mm long. The flowers are creamy white. They occur in clusters. Individual flowers are 10 mm across. The fruit are round or oval and 4 cm across. They contain one seed. The flesh is edible. The flesh is green and a fibrous network attaches to the hard shell of the seed. The kernel of the seed is a deep purple brown.

Edible Uses

Several parts of the Detarium senegalense tree are utilized for a variety of purposes, but mainly for folk medicine. The bark of the tree is most widely used in preparations for: the expulsion of the placenta after birth and treatment of anaemia; wounds, skin problems, bronchitis, pneumonia, stomach ache and digestive disorders; tuberculosis; and cases of heavy blood loss. Root decoctions are used to treat marasmus, debility, intestinal complaints, and convulsions. Leaf and shoot mixtures have been used in the treatment of dysentery, conjunctivitis, arthritis, fractures, and boils. Seeds have been applied to control blood-glucose levels in diabetic individuals, for the treatment of mosquito bites and as an antidote against arrow poison and snake bite. Nutritionally, “ofo” flour made from the seeds is often used as a soup thickener. The pulp of the fruit is eaten directly, but also is made into sherbets, juices, marmalades, or dried like dates. The timber from the trees is referred to as “African mahogany” and is characterized by its dark reddish-brown shade. Though the wood is heavy, it is easy to work with and resists moisture, weathering, and pests such as termites and borers. It is valued for the construction of houses, fences, and boats, but also as firewood as it burns easily and cleanly. Detarium senegalense trees are frequently employed in reforestation programs in areas of degraded land as they grow well even on poor soils. Though there is little information on the nutrient composition of the Detarium senegalense fruit, it appears to be nourishing. Per 100 g, sweet detar fruit contains 116 kcal energy, 1.9 g protein, 0.4 g fat, 29.6 g carbohydrates, 2.3 g fibre, 27 mg calcium, 48 mg phosphate, 0.14 mg thiamin and 0.05 mg riboflavin, 2.8 mg iron, 0.6 mg niacin, and, most notably, about 1200 mg vitamin C. In comparison to recommended daily vitamin and mineral requirements for an adult (in Canada), the fresh fruit contains moderate amounts of thiamin and iron, an exceptional amount of vitamin C, and lesser quantities of the other vitamins and minerals. The fruit seeds yield about 12% protein, and are rich in essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan. The “ofo” flour made from the seeds accordingly is very nutritious. Leaves from the trees have demonstrated antiviral activity against a number of human and animal viruses and the bark has shown antibacterial activity against many pathogenic bacteria, justifying the medicinal properties of the plant.

Traditional Uses

The sweet pulp of the fruit is eaten fresh. It is also dried. CAUTION: The seeds are said to be poisonous. There are toxic and non toxic varieties. Sweet pulp from the roots is used as a substitute for sugar.

Medicinal Uses

The fruits, seeds, bark, leaves, and wood are used for medicinal purposes. Although no other records for this species has been seen yet, it probably has most, if not all, the same uses as the closely related D. microcarpum.

Known Hazards

The bark is said to be poisonous. The fruit is toxic, but a non-toxic form is eaten. The toxicity of the fruit is determined by the tree. There are toxic trees and non-toxic trees of the same species. There is currently no way to determine toxicity of a fruit once it is separated from the tree. You can tell that a tree is "bad" because fruit lying on the ground will not be eaten by birds, insects, etc. whereas fruits on the ground under a good tree will be devoured by animals.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical Africa. It grows in savannah woodland. It occurs where the rainfall is 900-1600 mm per year. It also grows near beaches and coastal sand dunes.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, West Africa*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown by seed.

Other Uses

The tree produces a fragrant resin. The grey wood is hard with a fine, regular grain. It is resistant to insects and works well. Used for carpentry, joinery etc. The wood is well appreciated as firewood, as it lights quickly even if wet, burns slowly and gives off a pleasant aroma. Although no other records for this species has been seen yet, it probably has most, if not all, the same uses as the closely related D. microcarpum.