Edible Plants of the World

Torchwood, Torch fruit tree

A tropical plant. It grows in sand forest. It grows in dry open bush country. It can grow in hot arid places. It is often near springs. In East Africa it grows up to 1,000 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Also known as:

Green thorn, Groendoring, Inhulo, Ipamu, Liphambo, Manduro, Mchalacuse, Modolo, Mpambulu, Nanculipi, Njuyu, Nnulu, Nulo, Ugobandlovu, Ummula, Umnulu, Umnunu, Y-thorned torchwood

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Torchwood grow?

Found in: Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: The fruit kill snails which spread Bilharzia.

Status: The fruit are not widely used.

Growing Torchwood, Torch fruit tree

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seeds. They are best planted where they are to grow. Root suckers can also be sued for planting.

Edible Uses: The fruit are eaten. They are dry and bitter. The seeds produce an oil.

Production: Trees begin to fruit after 4 years. The seeds contain 46% edible tasteless oil.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Fruit - - - - - -
Seeds - oil - - - - - -

References

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Cunningham, 1985,

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USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/econ.pl (10 April 2000)

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World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew