Torchwood
It is a tropical plant. It grows in lowland rainforest. It suits humid locations. In Tanzania it grows between sea level and 400 m above sea level. In Nigeria it grows up to 1200 m above sea level. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 1,000-1,800 mm. It can tolerate a range of soils but is best in rich loams.
Also known as:
Bechieta, Biwala, Budare, Ekela, Ekele, Kivuw'a, Kobo, Mbiwala, Mguguni, Mkonga, Mngalangala, Mwera, Popoma, Ubogho, Ulele, Wamba
Synonyms
- Balanites maughamii
Edible Portion
- Nuts, Fruit, Oil
Where does Torchwood grow?
Found in: Africa, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia
Notes: The fruit pulp kill the snails that spread Bilharzia.
Growing Torchwood
Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seeds or root suckers.
Edible Uses: The seed kernel is edible. They are boiled cut thinly and then soaked in running water to remove bitterness. The seeds are the source of a clear oil similar to olive oil. The seeds are pounded and boiled in water then allowed to cool and the oil skimmed off. The fruit are eaten occasionally.
Production: In Tanzania fruit are collected between August and October. Seed can be stored for months.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuts - oil | - | - | - | - | - | - |
References
Abbiw, D.K., 1990, Useful Plants of Ghana. West African uses of wild and cultivated plants. Intermediate Technology Publications and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p 49
Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 1. Kew.
Dalziel, J. M., 1937, The Useful plants of west tropical Africa. Crown Agents for the Colonies London.
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 45
Global Plants JSTOR
Hart. T. B. and Hart, J. A., 1986, The Ecological Basis of Hunter-Gatherer Subsistence in African Rain Forests: The Mbuti of eastern Zaire. Human Ecology. Vol. 14, No. 1. pp 29-55
Ichikawa, M., Determinismes Ecologiques et Culturels Des Choix Alimentaires de chasseurs-cueilleurs Mbuti du Zaire. p 759 in L'Alimentation en Foret Tropicale UNESCO
Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 32
Keay, R.W.J., 1989, Trees of Nigeria. Clarendon Press, Oxford. p 146
Maundu, P. et al, 1999, Traditional Food Plants of Kenya. National Museum of Kenya. p 70
Menninger, E.A., 1977, Edible Nuts of the World. Horticultural Books. Florida p 114
Mutie, F. G., 2020, Conservation of Wild Food Plants and Their Potential for Combatting Food Insecurity in Kenya as Exemplified by the Drylands of Kitui County. Plants 2020, 9, 1017
Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 68
Ruffo, C. K., Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B., 2002, Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania. RELMA p 156
Tanno, T., 1981, Plant Utilization of the Mbuti Pygmies: With Special reference to their Material Culture and Use of Wild Vegetable Foods. Kyoto University Research. African Study Monographs 1:1-53
Terashima, H., & Ichikawa, M., 2003, A comparative ethnobotany of the Mbuti and Efe hunter-gatherers in the Ituri Forest, Democratic Republic of Congo. African Study Monographs, 24 (1, 2): 1-168, March 2003
Tredgold, M.H., 1986, Food Plants of Zimbabwe. Mambo Press. p 85
Uphof,
von Katja Rembold, 2011, Conservation status of the vascular plants in East African rain forests. Dissertation Universitat Koblenz-Landau p 157
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew