Strychnos cocculoides

Strychnos cocculoides, also known as the corky-bark monkey orange tree, or Ntonga, and suurklapper in Afrikaans, is a fruiting tree of Southern Africa. It produces a "large, pleasant flavored fruit" (the monkey orange) that is sometimes hard to find in shops but easy to handle. The flavorful fruit is considered a good prospect for further agricultural and economic development in the region.

Description

A shrub or small tree up to 6 m tall. It is evergreen and thornless. The stem can be 23 cm across. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are leathery. They are dark green above and lighter below. They are 5-12 cm long by 2.5-6 cm wide. The base is narrowed. The edges roll inwards. The flowers are in dense clusters in the axils of leaves. The flowers are tubular and with 5 white star like petals. These can be 1.9 cm across. The berries are plum like and 2.5 cm long. They are red and turn purplish-black. The have 1 or 2 oval flat seeds. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh and have a good flavour; they are also used to make jams, jellies, and drinks. The fruit pulp can be buried in the ground until it becomes liquid and is then consumed as a beverage or used to make alcoholic drinks.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten and have a good flavour. They are also used for jams and jellies. The fruit are also buried in the ground until the fruit pulp becomes liquid and then used as a drink. The fruit are also used for alcoholic drinks. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. CAUTION: These are considered POISONOUS. The fruit and leaves can kill. The seeds may be poisonous. They contain strychnine. The seeds are also reported as being eaten.

Medicinal Uses

The fruit is mixed with honey or sugar and used to treat coughing. The fruit is used in making eardrops for treating ear complaints. The root can be chewed to alleviate stomach disorders, eczema and sores on the skin. It is also an alleged cure for gonorrhoea. The leaves are pounded and applied as a poultice on sores. The roots, leaves and bark are used in treating disorders of the male organs.

Known Hazards

The fruit and leaves are considered poisonous and can be fatal. The seeds contain strychnine and are poisonous, though they are also reported as being eaten. Consuming alcohol made from the fruit presents a cancer risk.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in bushveld and usually on sandy soils or in rocky places. It grows between 400-2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in acid soils. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 600-1,200 mm. It can grow in arid places. It grows in Miombo woodland.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds. It can be cut back and will re-grow.

Propagation

The seed is hard to germinate because it has a hard seed coat that requires pre-treatment. It is recommended that the fresh seed is used where possible and that it be soaked in hot water for 24 - 48 hours prior to sowing. The optimum temperature for the germination of the seed is 23.5°c, with a germination range of 11.8 - 36°c. The seed has a short viability of 2 months at the most when stored at room temperature. Root suckers. These can be encouraged to develop by wounding the tree.

Other Uses

A dye obtained from the fruit is used to colour trays and containers. It also provides protection from insect attacks. The fruit can be used as a soap for washing clothes. The hard shell of the fruit is used for making rattles - the shell is dried, a small hole is made into it and then hard, dry seeds are placed within. The wood is white and tough, rather soft, and pliable. It is used primarily for building materials and tool handles. The wood is used for fuel. The tree is sometimes planted along boundaries and near home compounds.

Production

In Tanzania fruit are collected from July to December. Ripe fruit can be stored in the shade for about 2 weeks.

Other Information

The fruit are eaten especially by children. It is one of the most important wild fruit trees in Tanzania. It is sold in local markets.

Notes

There are about 170 Strychnos species. They grow in the tropics and subtropics. Some are very poisonous and others have edible fruit. It is the seeds that contain strychnine that are poisonous. These have also been put in the family Strychnaceae.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Corky monkey-apple, Danikavi, Eguni, Ikome, Kala nkonki, Kahole, Kasangole, Lidongansanga, Litungawai, Maboque, Mabumi, Mahuluhulu, Maninkave, Mnjichi, Mntonga, Mogwaragwarane, Monkey orange, Mtonga, Mtongatonga, Mukudubu, Mungono, Munungi, Musayi, Mutamba, Muzumwi, Polopopo, Suurklapper, Tengombale

References (57)

• 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
• Ann. Mus. Congo Belge, Bot. ser. 5, 1:177. 1904 (As Strychnos suberosa)
• Awodoyin, R.O., Olubode, O.S., Ogbu, J.U., Balogun, R.B., Nwawuisi, J.U. and Orji, K.O., 2015, Indigenous Fruit Trees of Tropical Africa: Status, Opportunity for Development and Biodiversity Management. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 31-41
• Baidu-Forson, J.J., et al ,2014,. Assessment of agrobiodiversity resources in the Borotse flood plain, Zambia. CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems. Penang, Malaysia. Working Paper: AAS-2014-12.
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 2129

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