African afraegle, Nigerian powder-flask-fruit
Afraegle paniculata

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 15 m high. The trunk is up to 2 m long until branches and 25-40 cm across. It has spiny branches. The thorns are about 5 cm long. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are broadly sword shaped. The flowers are white. The fruit are 7-8 cm across. They have a hard shell.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland thickets near the edge of forests. In grows in savannah woodlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Gold Coast, West Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds contain a fat that is used as food. The leaves are made into soups.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bonquete-cunhide, Boranabo, Citron d'éléphant, Cursadje, Cursam-o

Synonyms

Balsamocitrus paniculata (Schumach.) Swingle; Citrus paniculata Schumach.;