Awusa nut, African walnut
Plukenetia conophora

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or creeper. It can be 30 m long. It has many branches. The leaves narrow to the tip and are 18 cm long by 10 cm wide. The flowers are very small and white and grouped in clusters. The male flowers fall off leaving the female flowers. The fruit has 4 or 5 lobes. There are 4-5 large seeds. The seeds are eaten after roasting.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in secondary forest growing up tall trees.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The leaves, young shoots and fruit are eaten with rice. They are also dried. The seeds are boiled or roasted and eaten. The skin is removed. They are also used for edible oil.

It is a cultivated food plant. Seeds are sold in local markets. They are in high demand in season.

Edible parts

Nuts, leaves, fruit, nuts - oil, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. It can be grown from stem cuttings.

The vine starts producing after 5 years. Nut production is seasonal. In Congo they are available August to October. The kernels can yield 50-60% oil.

Its other names

Local names

Angeko, Angeti, Bodombu, Botito, Conophor, Ekporo, Eti, Kaso, Kasso, Kasu, Kpwo-ngo, Limba, Lokaso, Lukaswa, Makasu nsinga, Ngaso, Ngezi, Nkasu, Okhue, Otito, Owusa nut, Tiito, Tito, Titose, Tobe, Tobye, Ukpa, Wanut

Synonyms

Angostylidium conophorum (Mull.Arg.) Pax & K. Hoffm.; Cleidon mannii Baker; Cleidon preusii (Pax.) Baker; Mallotus preusii Pax.; Plukenetia conophora Mull.-Arg.; Tetracarpidium conophorum (Mull.Arg.) Hutch. & Dalziel; Tetracarpidium staudtii Pax.;