Parinari curatellifolia

Parinari curatellifolia (Bambara: Tutu; Yoruba: Ìdòfún) is an evergreen tropical tree of Africa, found in various types of deciduous woodland most frequently in poorly drained areas and inland at moderate altitudes. It is also known as mmupudu (by Tswana-speaking South Africans), mupundu or mobola plum after the fruit, which is considered tasty and causes the tree to be spared when woodland is cleared for cultivation. It grows in the Guinea Savanna region of West Africa, from Senegal across to Chad, then in seasonal woodland across the equator through Kenya and the eastern side of the continent, and from there in deciduous Miombo woodland inland to Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its southernmost reach is just outside the tropics in South Africa, at about 25°S.

Description

A tree that grows up to 12-20 m tall. The trunk is clean. The bark is rough and fire resistant. The young branches are hairy. The leaves are simple and oblong. They are 4-11 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They narrow towards the base. The upper surfac e is shiny dark green and the lower surface is dull and covered with felt. The veins are conspicuous and run straight to the edge of the leaf. The flower buds occur in sprays at the ends of the branches. The flowers are pale green and have a strong sweet scent. The fruit are 2.5-4 cm long. They are olive green covered with rough grey spots. They become yellowish-red when ripe. The flesh of the fruit clings to the kernel. The fruit are edible. There are 2 subspecies.

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten raw or cooked. It has a dry but delicious, strawberry-like flesh that is somewhat astringent and is considered one of the best wild fruits of the region. It is at its best after being stored for a few days until thoroughly ripe. The russet-yellow, ovoid fruit is 3–5cm in diameter and has a high content of protein and vitamin C. Ripe fruits can be pounded with water and the resulting liquid thickened with flour to make a gruel known as 'phala la maula'. A soft drink is prepared by peeling ripe fruits and soaking them in warm water. The fruit also makes a good jam. The seeds are an excellent substitute for almonds and are often roasted; they can also be pounded and used in soups. Seeds contain about 40% oil (70% in the kernels), which is extracted for cooking by drying, roasting, and crushing the seeds, then boiling them in water, allowing the liquid to cool, and skimming off the oil.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten. The fruit are gathered after they fall. The skin and seeds are discarded but the pulp eaten. The fruit are used to make drinks - both intoxicating and non intoxicating. The seeds are used for flavouring and as raw nuts. They are also pounded for soup.

Medicinal Uses

The root is highly valued medicinally. An infusion of the roots is used to treat toothache. A hot fomentation of the bark treats pneumonia. A leaf decoction is either drunk or used in a bath as a remedy for fevers. Crushed or pulped leaves are applied as a dressing for fractures or dislocations, and for wounds, sores, and cuts.

Known Hazards

None mentioned.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It is native to tropical Africa. It is common on sandy soils and in open deciduous woodland. It is very sensitive to frost and cold. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 700-1,500 mm. It is often in poorly drained soils with a high water table. Plants can re-grow after fire. It grows in areas between sea level and 2,100 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in Miombo woodland in Africa.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahel, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds should be collected fresh from fruit on the tree. The flesh is removed and the seeds dried in the shade. The seeds are sown shallowly. The seedlings need to be transplanted carefully to avoid damage to the taproot. They can be transplanted after 2 years.

Propagation

Seed remains viable in normal storage for at least 4 years. Sow in river sand in flat seed trays, pressing seeds level with the soil surface and covering with a thin layer of sand. Germination is very poor and prolonged, beginning after about 5 weeks. Transplant seedlings at the 3-leaf stage, taking care not to damage the taproot. Plant out when seedlings are about 30cm tall. The plant also spreads by root suckers.

Other Uses

The bark contains tannins and is used as a dye in basket making. Seeds yield around 38% oil used in making paint, varnish, and soap. Twigs are used as chew sticks to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy. The pale-brown to yellow-red wood is hard, durable, and heavy but high in silica, making it somewhat difficult to saw and plane. It is strongly fire resistant and is used for fine woodwork, building, furniture, poles, dugout canoes, and mortars. The wood is also used for fuel and makes good charcoal. The tree is an important source of forage for bees.

Production

Trees from seed can reach 3.9 m after 9 years. Fruit production often only occurs every second year. Fruit matures in 250 days.

Other Information

An attractive popular fruit. It is commonly used in West Africa. Fruit tend to be available in the drier more hungry season.

Notes

There are about 50 Parinari species. They grow in the tropics.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Amabuye, Amanazi, Angili, Bosapple, Bua-ikuna, Cork tree, Goro soulabe, Grys apple, Hacha, Hissing tree, Kele, Mah'ulu, Mampara-djom-ae, Maula, Mbula, Mbulwa, Mbura, Mmola, Mpembu, Mphola, Msavula, Msawula, Mubola, Mubula, Mubuni, Muchacha, Muchakata, Muhacha, Muhatja, Muisha, Mujakata, Mukumbu, Mula, Munazi, Mupunda, Mupundu, Mushacata, Mutopio, Mutubi, Muvhula, Muwula, N'tupiu, Nahude, Naji, Ntja, Omoraa, Piinobga, Sand apple, Tela, Tonkorogoro, Toutou, Tubi, Tupi, Umkhuna, Umunazi

References (84)

• Akinnifesi, F. K., et al, 2006, Towards the development of Miombo fruit trees as commercial crops in Southern Africa. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods. Vol. 16 pp 1-3-121
• Alyegba, S. S. et al, 2013, Ethnobotanical Survey of Edible Wild Plants in Tiv Communities of Benue State, Nigeria. Journal of Natural Sciences Research. Vol.3, No.7
• Ambe, G., 2001, Les fruits sauvages comestibles des savanes guinéennes de Côte-d’Ivoire : état de la connaissance par une population locale, les Malinké. Biotechnol. Agron. Soc. Environ. 5(1), 43-48
• Atato, A., et al, 2010, Diversity of Edible Wild Fruit Tree Species of Togo. Global Science Books.
• Atato, A.,et al, 2011, Edible Wild Fruit Highly Consumed during Food Shortage Period in Togo: State of Knowledge and Conservation Status. Journal of Life Sciences 5 (2011) 1046-1057

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