Nauclea latifolia
Sm.
African Peach
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Marco Schmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Marco Schmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Marco Schmidt
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Chabi Mongo Yves, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chabi Mongo Yves
Description
Nauclea latifolia is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Butterflies. 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw. The pulp is deep red, watery, sweet with a taste of ripe apple. The fruit is said to resemble a strawberry in taste and texture. The globose fruit is about 8cm in diameter. Flower heads - cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Medicinal Uses
Antitussive Febrifuge Hypoglycaemic. Used in the treatment of diabetes. The root is febrifuge and tonic. It is used in the treatment of fevers, indigestion. The fruit is eaten as a cure for coughs. The alkaloid strictosamine is obtained from the roots, leaves and stem bark. Researchers have reported that Tramadol (an opioid pain medication) was found in relatively high concentrations (1%+) in the roots of the Nauclea latifolia. This is now reported to be the result of Tramadol being administered to cattle by farmers. Radiocarbon analysis has confirmed that tramadol could not be plant-derived and was of synthetic origin (wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramadol).
Distribution
West tropical Africa - Ghana to Gabon and DR Congo.
Where It Grows
AFRICA: Uganda, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Gabon, Benin, Côte D‘Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
Cultivation
Plants grow in hot tropical climates, where they are found at elevations from sea level to around 200 metres. They grow best in areas where the mean annual temperature is around 27°c. They succeed in a range of moisture conditions from fairly dry savannah to moist forest, preferring a mean annual rainfall around 2,700mm. Plants are tolerant of a range of soils, preferring a position in full sun. Established plants are very drought tolerant. Seedlings commence fruiting when about 5 - 6 years old. The flowers are extremely fragrant. Plants respond well to coppicing.
Propagation
Seed - usually sown in situ. The seed is said to germinate more quickly and reliably if it first passes through the gut of a baboon. Cuttings of greenwood. Layering.
Other Uses
Dye Fuel Mulch Shelterbelt Soil stabilization Tannin Teeth Wood. Agroforestry Uses: A suitable species for planting schemes for conservation and soil stabilization. The tree offers shade and acts as a windbreak. It is used as a live stake to provide barriers in farms. The leaves are used as a mulch. Other Uses Small twigs are used as chewing sticks. The bark is a source of tannins. A yellow dye is obtained from the roots. The heartwood is dark red-brown, hard and moderately heavy. The wood is resistant to termites. It is used for inlay work. The wood is used for fuel.
Synonyms
Also Known As
African Peach, Angatu, Chipoka, Dhiot, Ebolo, Goat, Gongan, Gounge, Guinea peach, Karmadodah, Kwomo, Logotomic, Miaar, Monyo, Mutma, Nauclea, Negro-peach, Pincushion, Rata-bakmi, Sukisia, african cinchona, african quinine, akabi awotso, banampe, bari, baro, bati country fi g, brampe, country fig, country-fig, daindaté, dikabiatso, doundake, doundaké, ebele, ebeliodole, ebolo, edoil, egbesi, egbessi root, ekomokoi, ekusiawa, eomokoi, eutukidole, galun gun, guinea peach, guineapeach fathead tree, gulun gun, hwene hwenti, kankanu, katama, kina du rio nunez, kisia, kuru kuntu, kusia, lago, molo, munyu, mutamatama, mutma, nauclea, negro peach, nemo, njimo, nyimo, opepe, osupuwa, owentin, oyefa oshwefa, oyefa tshofa, peachroot, peyae biasa, pêcher africain, sarcocephalus latifolius, sierra leone peach, sierra leone-peach, supaka, tafashia, tafashia. telede, tshofa tshuru, woacroolie root, wuacruli.
