Butterpips
It is a tropical plant. It grows on sand in the Namib desert. It can survive in a hot arid, desert climate. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall of 150 mm. It can survive during years without rainfall. It grows in areas with temperatures between 16°C and 21°C. It can grow in very poor soils. It can grow in salty soils. It grows between 25-150 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Also known as:
Inara, Mnara, Naia, Nara, Naras, Narram, Narra melon
Edible Portion
- Seeds, Fruit pulp, Seeds - oil, Leaves, Vegetable
Where does Butterpips grow?
Found in: Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, United States
Notes: There are 2 Acanthosicyos species. The seeds are very nutritious.
Status: It is an important food in very arid areas.
Growing Butterpips
Cultivation: Plants grow from seeds. Seeds germinate easily. It usually does not do well in cultivation. Wild plants are "owned" and harvested. The seeds are separated from the fruit pulp by rubbing in the sand.
Edible Uses: The fruit are eaten fresh or preserved. The fruits are buried to soften, then peeled and boiled and the pulp allowed to thicken and then dried in the sun. It is then eaten or added to porridge. The seeds are eaten roasted or boiled. They are also stored for later use. The seeds also yield an edible oil. The pulp of the fruit is used to separate casein from milk after it is heated.
Production: Plants can live for very long periods. Fruits ripen seasonally. Fruit can be 900 g weight. 1,000 seeds weigh 300g. In Namibia fruit are harvested between November and May.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 56 | 1.4 | 0.5 | - | - | 0.6 | 84 |
| Seed | 659 | 30.7 | 4 | - | - | 5.5 | 5.3 |
References
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