The African breadfruit tree, scientifically known as Treculia africana, is a remarkable species with a wide range of uses and benefits. This tree is not only a valuable food source but also plays a significant role in traditional medicine and ecological conservation. Let's delve into the fascinating facts about this versatile tree.
Mature fruit of Treculia africana
Description and Distribution
Treculia africana is a large tree in the family Moraceae, typically found in wet areas and forests. The geographical distribution of T. africana extends through West and Central Africa. Here are some key characteristics:
- Size: The species can grow up to a height of 30 m (98 ft), with a stem girth reaching 6 m (20 ft).
- Bark: The bark is grey and discharges a cream latex.
- Leaves: Large and dark green above, lighter below, arranged in two ranks with amplexicaul stipules.
- Reproduction: Trees are dioecious (sexes on separate trees) or sometimes monoecious.
- Inflorescences: Unisexual, sometimes bisexual or globose, borne in leaf axils or on older wood and branches.
The flowering period typically spans from October to February, leading to the development of the fruit.
The Fruit
The fruit of Treculia africana is a defining characteristic of the tree. Here’s what you need to know:
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- Appearance: Big, round, and greenish-yellow.
- Size and Weight: The fruit can be the size of a volleyball, weighing up to 8.5 kg (19 lb) and reaching 45 cm (18 in) in diameter.
- Texture: Spongy when ripe, containing abundant seeds.
- Harvest: Depending on the region and environmental conditions, fruit can be harvested year-round.
The seeds are the edible part of the fruit and are highly valued for their nutritional content.
Nutritional Value and Uses
African breadfruit is an edible traditional fruit, consumed, for example in Nigeria, where it is eaten as a main dish. The seeds are of particular interest because of their high nutritional value.
How To Prepare African Breadfruit (Ukwa)
African breadfruit is a good adjunct in brewing because it is a source of fermentable sugars.
These large, seeded fruits can be eaten raw, but they are typically boiled and roasted for various culinary applications. Here’s a breakdown of how it’s used:
- Culinary Uses: Used in soups, stews, and in combination with rice, maize, and yams.
- 'Ukwa' Porridge: The seed kernel is used in preparing 'ukwa' porridge, a delicacy among the Ibo ethnic group of southeast Nigeria.
- Flour Production: The seeds can be ground into flour to make bread, pasta, and baby food.
- Edible Oil: Seeds can be pressed to yield an edible oil.
The seeds are especially rich in vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, and A. They also contain high amounts of zinc, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium. In fact, 100 g of raw seeds have almost twice as much potassium as the same serving of bananas.
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Seeds of African Breadfruit
Traditional and Folk Medicine
Parts of the tree including its leaves and bark are also used in folk medicine. The crushed leaves are sometimes taken orally to treat coughs and thrush in children. Other parts of the plant have been used to treat a range of diseases from rheumatism and gastro-intestinal complaints to high blood pressure.
Varieties of Treculia africana
Based on detailed field observations, three varieties are distinguished within the subspecies:
- T. a. var. africana: Extending from Senegal to Southern Sudan and south to Angola, central Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe islands.
- T. a. var. inversa: More abundant in the eastern states of Nigeria (Anambra State, Edo, and Delta States).
Their taxonomic differences are based mainly on the size of the fruit head (infructescence) and the hairiness of branchlets and leaves. A striking variation exists in the number of fruit heads produced by trees belonging to T. a. var. africana (with large fruit heads) and T. a. var. inversa (with small fruit heads).
Ecological Importance and Other Uses
Treculia africana is often used in soil conservation projects because its leaves are a great source of green manure. For this reason, it has been recommended as a promising species for use in home gardens and for intercropping systems in agroforestry. This species grows in African tropical zones, and it does well in medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. It is usually found near streams or in swampy forest areas at an altitude of up to 1,500 m.
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Here are some additional uses of the tree:
- Wood: Suitable for pulp and paper making, fuel, charcoal, furniture, and carvings.
- Soil Conservation: Leaves serve as green manure, making it ideal for agroforestry.
- Reforestation: Used in reforestation projects in Africa.
Seed production from the African breadfruit is considerable, a mature tree producing up to 30 fruit annually, each fruit yielding 5-10 kg of seed after processing. For processing, the fruit are stacked in a heap and allowed to ferment. The fermented mass is macerated and washed in running water until all adhering slimy, jelly-like substances have been removed. Cleaned seeds are subsequently air-dried, dehulled and available for sale in local markets.
Treculia africana seeds at market
The Nutrecul Agroforestry Project is taking the lead and has the most genetic variation of trees.
