Shea butter tree
A tropical plant. It is most common is savannah woodland where the rainfall is 1,000-3,000 mm a year. Trees will survive annual fires. They are also not damaged by termites.
Also known as:
Ekunguru, Yaa, Yao
Synonyms
- Butyrospermum niloticum Kotschy
- Butyrospermum paradoxum subsp. niloticum (Kotschy) Hepper
- Butyrospermum parkii subsp. niloticum (Kotschy) Hepper
- Butyrospermum parkii var. niloticum (Kotschy) A. Chev.
Edible Portion
- Nuts, Seeds, Vegetable
Where does Shea butter tree grow?
Found in: Africa, East Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda
Notes: Seeds contain 45-60 % oil. This becomes solid at temperatures less than 32°C. The oil can be used for cooking and in soap and margarine.
Status: It is a major food in South Sudan.
Growing Shea butter tree
Cultivation: Because the seedlings have a long tap root it is best to sow them direct. The fruit can be collected in heaps and the flesh allowed to rot off over 3-4 weeks then dried to collect the seeds for planting. Seed should be then sown as fresh as possible.
Edible Uses: The seed can be used for food. The fruit kernel is used for shea butter.
Production: Trees take 30 years to mature. They can produce fruit in 15-25 years with good management. Shea butter is extracted from the seeds by roasting, grinding and then boiling the seeds.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
References
Cobley, L.S. (rev. Steele, W.M.) 2nd Ed., 1976, An Introduction to the Botany of Tropical Crops. Longmans. p 320 (As Butyrospermum)
Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 565 (As Butyrospermum)
Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 32 (As Butyrospermum)
Joseph, L. O. & Oyiki, C. O., 2000, Contribution of Wild Food Plants to the Scholi and Madi Food Basket. In Exploring the Potential of Indigenous and Wild Food Plants in Southern Sudan. USAID p 65
Katende, A.B., Birnie, A & Tengnas B., 1995, Useful Trees and Shrubs for Uganda. Identification, Propagation and Management for Agricultural and Pastoral Communities. Technical handbook No 10. Regional Soil Conservation Unit, Nairobi, Kenya. p 140 (As Butyrospermum)
Masters, T., 2021, Traditional food plants of the upper Aswa River catchment of northern Uganda—a cultural crossroads. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2021) 17:24