Conophor. Nigerian walnut. Awusa nut,
Plukenetia conophora

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

Plukenetia conophora is an evergreen Perennial Climber growing to 18 m (59ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 18

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Rain-forest hedge in half-shady places; low bush; secondary forest; plantations at elevations from 250 - 1,400 metres.

Origin: Africa. Western and central tropical Africa - Togo to the Congo.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, Congo R, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, West Africa

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Edible Portion: Nuts, Leaves, Fruit, Nuts - oil, Seeds, Vegetable. Seed - raw or cooked. The tasty seed has a pleasant odour, it is usually eaten boiled or roasted, and is often served with corn on the cob. The seed can be ground into a powder and used with flour in making cakes. Eaten raw they have a bitter flavour not unlike the kola nut and are considered to be tonic. The seed is thin-shelled and about 25mm long. The seed yields 48 - 60% of a light golden coloured oil with a flavour resembling linseed oil. The oil comprises linolenic acid 64%; palmitic and stearic acids 15%; oleic acid 11 %; and linoleic acid 10%. Fruit - eaten with rice. Leaves and young shoots - eaten with rice. Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: protein-oil (The term staple crop typically refers to a food that is eaten routinely and accounts for a dominant part of people's diets in a particular region of the world).

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The leaves are considered a headache cure. The raw seed is aphrodisiac and tonic. The oil obtained from the seeds has medicinal use in massages.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 3

The seed yields 48 - 60% of a drying oil. The oil dries more quickly than linseed oil. Known as awusa oil in the paint and varnish trade, it is usable in the paint industry provided there is a certain supply and the kernels are free from excessive free fatty acids. It is unsuitable for soap-manufacture. The fresh oil has an iodine value of 190, which is excellent for a drying oil, but the seeds do not store well and deterioration caused by enzymatic action needs to be prevented at the time of collection by heat-treatment.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Paint: Plants used directly as a paint. Does not include oil plants and dyes that can be used as ingredients in paints.

Varnish: Plants that can be used as a varnish without any special treatment. Does not include varnishes made from oils etc.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Climate: tropical. Humidity: humid. Cultivated in the hot and humid zones of tropical Africa around gardens and backyards, mainly for subsistence consumption. Grows on moist, deep, fertile, well-drained loam soils and in silt clay loam soils. Nut production is seasonal. The kernels can yield 50-60% oil. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop only. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation).

Propagating it: Plants are grown from seed. It can be grown from stem cuttings.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial Climber

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Conophor tree or conophor nut. Nigerian walnut, Botito, Conophor, Ekporo, Kaso, Kasu, Lokaso, Ngezi, Okhue, Owusa nut, Tiito, Tito, Ukpa, Wanut. Tetracarpidium conophorum (Müll.Arg.) Hutch. & Dalziel is a synonym of Plukenetia conophora Müll.Arg.

Synonyms

Angostylidium conophorum (Müll. Arg.) Pax & K. Hoffm. Cleidion mannii Baker. Cleidion preussii (Pax) Baker. Mallotus preussii Pax. Tetracarpidium conophorum (Müll.Arg.) Hutch. & Dalziel. Tetracarpidium staudtii Pax.