Manketti nut, Zambezi almond
Ricinodendron heudelotii

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 40 m high. The trunk is straight and 2.7 m across. The bark is grey and smooth. It loses its leaves during the dry season. The leaves are like fingers on a hand and alternate. There are 3-5 leaflets and these are 6-30 cm long by 3-15 cm wide. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. There are 5 petals and 5 sepals and they are united in a tube. The fruit are small and green. They are 4 cm across. They have 2 lobes. There are 1-2 nuts.

There is only one Ricindendron species. There are 2 subspecies. Caterpillars that are edible to humans feed on the new young leaves.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is common in secondary forest. It grows between 200-500 m altitude. It requires 1,000 mm of rainfall but can grow in areas with 10,000 mm of rain per year. It needs light. It requires a temperature between 18-32°C. It needs free draining acid soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Asia, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

The dried kernels are ground and used in stews or eaten as a relish. They can be eaten raw or roasted. The nuts also yield an edible oil. The leaves are cooked as a vegetable. The kernels can be stored for many months.

It is reasonably commonly eaten in West Africa. It is cultivated. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Seeds, condiment, nuts, leaves, kernel, spice, wood ash - salt, oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate after 3-6 weeks. It can also be grown from leafy stem cutting, layering or side grafting. Trees can regenerate from the stump. (Seedlings are destroyed by a psyllid in Cameroon)

It is fast growing. Trees fruit after 8-10 years. Fruit are collected from the ground. They are put in a heap and the flesh allowed to rot to remove the stones. They are then washed and boiled and allowed to cool overnight in cold water before boiling again.

Its other names

Local names

Agele, Akpi, Areki, Asongo, Bidjabarrana, Bobochi, Bofeko, Bohongo, Bukombola, Djansang, Eho, Erinmado, Essang nut, Essessang, Ezezang, Gobo, Itche, Kingela, Kishongo, Lesah, Lisongo, Lukombola, Mkungonolo, Mkungunolo, Mtondoro, Mtwatwa, Munguella, Musodo, N'tonte, Ndjansang, Ngoge, Ngoku, Ngongeh, Ngoza, Njansang, Nkangaula, Nyangsang, Okhuen, Okwe, Peke, Putu, Sanga sanga, Songo, Suli, Tandoa, Tonta, Ungozo, Wama, Wamma

Synonyms

Jatropha heudelotii Baill.; Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex Pax;