Karkar
Aidia genipiflora

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 16 m tall. The trunk is 90 cm around. The flowers are white but turn yellow. They have a scent. The fruit are round and have a crown formed by the calyx. They are 1-2 cm across.

Chemical composition: Protein (crude) = 5.9% (dry). Fat = 1.2% (dry). Fibre (crude) = 12.3% (dry). Ash = 4.9% (dry). Carbohydrate (soluble): Starch = 10.1% (dry). Sucrose = 14.8% (dry. D-Glucose = 5.3% (dry). F-Fructose = 6.9% (dry). Amino acids (g [16g N]-1): Aspartic Acid = 11g. Threonine = 2.5g. Serine = 2.9g. Glutamic Acid = 7.3g. Proline = 2.4g. Glycine = 3.6g. Alanine = 2.9g. Valine = 3.4g. Cysteine = 0.7g. Methionine = 0.7g. Isoleucine = 2.5g. Leucine = 4.4g. Tyrosine = 2.2g. Phenylalanine = 2.7g. Lysine = 3.1g. Histidine = 1.7g. Arginine = 6.6g. Minerals - Sulphur = 0.06% (dry). Potassium = 0.14% (dry). Magnesium = 0.12% (dry). Calcium = 0.19% (dry). Na = 0.01% (dry). K = 1.64% (dry). Zinc = 5mg/kg (dry). Iron = 302mg/kg (dry). Manganese = 24mg/kg (dry). Copper = 4mg/kg (dry).

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Kordofan district. It grows in closed forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan

How it is used for food

The fresh fruit are eaten. They are also dried and water added again later.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Gardenia genipiflora (DC.) Roberty; Randia genipiflora DC.; Solena genipiflora (DC.) D. Dietr.;