Incense tree, African elemi, African canarium

Where does Incense tree grow?

Found in: Africa, Angola, Asia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are 80-95 Canarium species.

Status: The fruit are popular with children. Fruit are sold in local markets.

Growing Incense tree, African elemi, African canarium

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seeds. Many grow naturally. For collecting seeds, the fruit which fall and collected and the fleshy layer rotted off then the hard seed cases collected. These are put in hot water which is allowed to cool and soak for 24 hours. They are then sown directly where they are to grow. Seed can be stored for a long time. Plants can be budded.

Edible Uses: The fruit is eaten after being lightly boiled and sprinkled with a little salt. They are left to soak for 2-3 days to soften. It is also roasted or fried. The seeds are sometimes eaten cooked. The seeds are a source of oil used as a substitute for shea butter.

Production: Plants are slow growing. Fruit production is seasonal. In Tanzania fruiting occurs between August and December. The dry inner stone can be stored to 2 years. Fruit are collected after they fall or by climbing and shaking the tree.

Nutrition Info

References

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