African mahogany, Cherry mahogany, Dumori butter
Tieghemella heckelii

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 50 m high. The trunk is angular at the base. It does not have buttresses. The trunk is 25 m long and 1-2 m across. It has horizontal branches near the top. The bark is thick, grey and cracked. The leaves are simple and 15 cm long by 7.5 cm wide. They are oval and dark green and shiny. The flower are small and white and have a scent. The fruit are yellow berries. They usually contain a single seed. The seeds are 6-8 cm long and there can be 1-3 in a large pulpy fruit. Half the seed is shiny and the other half is dull and rough.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in moist evergreen and semi-deciduous forests. It is best in a heavy soil. Young trees can tolerate shade and mature trees need full sun.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, West Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds are rich in an edible fat. It is used for cooking and seasoning. The pulp around the seeds is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Seeds, seeds - oil, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds. Seeds germinate in shade but seedlings grow best in sunlight.

Its other names

Local names

Abaku, Bacu, Baku, Duomore, Gwah, Judu buo, Julu-tu, Makore, Mbalambala, Mgbabou

Synonyms

Baillonella heckelii (A. Chev.) Baehni; Dumoria heckelii A. Chev.; Mimusops heckelii (A. Chev.) Hutch. & Dalz.;