African locust bean, Twoball Nitta-Tree
Parkia biglobosa
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It grows to 20 m tall. The trunk is 1 m across. The crown is spreading. The bark is scaly. The leaves are dark green and twice divided. There are 50-70 pairs of leaflets along 14-30 pairs of leaflet stalks. The flower clusters are pink or red. These are in round balls on stalks 30 cm long. The fruit are pods 50 cm long. A cluster of pods occur together. The ripe seeds develop a yellowish tinge when ripe. There is pink, dry, powdery flesh around them. The fruit are edible.
Also as Mimosaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It often grows near water. It grows in the Sahel. It grows in savannah. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 500-700 mm per year. It is best on deep loamy sands. It can grow in arid places. In Rockhampton Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Barbados, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Malawi, Mali, Martinique, Niger, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia
How it is used for food
The seeds are normally roasted. They are then bruised and allowed to ferment in water. They are then washed and ground into powder. It can be stored for long periods. The seeds can be processed into a vegetable cheese. This is used as a spice to season sauces and soups. The flesh of the fruit is edible. A drink is also made from the flesh of the fruit. The bark is used in relishes and chutneys as a flavouring.
It is an important food in West Africa. It is commonly used. It is an important fruit tree in Nigeria. It is also cultivated. Fruit tend to be available in the drier more hungry season.
Edible parts
Seeds, roots, fruit, pods, bark - flavouring, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds are put into boiling water then allowed to cool to improve their germination. They can be transplanted after 10-14 weeks. Plants can be grown from root suckers. Plants can be budded.
Initial plant growth is slow. First fruit develop after about 8 years. Flowers are fruit develop during the dry season.
Its other names
Local names
African locust, Ahouatin, Ahwatin, Anjambane, Ayidan, Biaie, Billire, Buiai, Bu nalay, Bu niok, Canhando, Caroubier-africain, Daddawa, Daudawa, Dawadawa, Dodoli, Dondo, Donm, Dooso, 'Dorawa, Dorowa, Dours, Dowa, Dso, Duaga, Em-bando, Faroba, Farroba, Farrobe, Fernleaf Nitta-tree, Gante, Igba, Iru, Irugba, Iyere, Kalwa, Kariah, Kolgo, Mehante, Mimosa-poupre, Munuan, Muwassademu, N'andu, Nando, Narehi, Nere, Neri, Netch, Nete, Netetu, Netto, Niere, Nitta tree, Nitta-Nut, Nune, Nutta-Nut, Olele, Ogiri, Oule, Poroba, Roanga, Runo, Sikomu, Ulele, Unhando
Synonyms
Inga biglobosa (Jacq.) Willd.; Inga senegalensis DC.; Mimosa biglobosa Jacq.; Mimosa taxifolia Pers., Parkia africana R. Br.; Parkia clappertoniana Keay; Parkia filicoides Welw.; Parkia intermedia Oliver; Parkia oliveri J. F. Macbr.;