Gorli shrub
Caloncoba echinata

Family: Achariaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 8 m tall. It does not have thorns on its branches. The leaves are thin and leathery. They are 15 cm long and oblong. They have a short point at the tip. They are wedge shaped at the base. The flowers are white and have short stems. The fruit is round and very spiny. It is yellow or orange and filled with many seeds.

There are 10 Caloncoba species. They are in Africa. They grow in tropical and southern Africa. The oil is used in medicine. The seeds contain chaulmoogric acid used in the treatment of Leprosy. Also put in the family Flacourtiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the under-storey of closed rain-forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Hawaii, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Pacific, Puerto Rico, Sierra Leone, USA, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten and also used for a sweet drink.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dooh, Fen-kone, Flanchu, Ghogble, Katupo, Komehumda, Kulukenyo, Nikawumbi

Synonyms

Oncoba echinata D. Oliver;