Listing
Description:
Treculia
africana, the African breadfruit, is a tree species in the genus Treculia. It is used as a food plant. The
fruits are hard and fibrous, can be the size of a volleyball and weight up to 8.5 kilograms
(19 lb). Chimpanzees have been observed to use tools to break
the fruits into small pieces that they can eat.[1] The
fruits contain polyphenols.
Detailed Description:
Treculia
africana,
the African breadfruit,
is a tree species in the genus Treculia. It is used as a food plant. The
fruits are hard and fibrous, can be the size of a volleyball and weight up to 8.5 kilograms
(19 lb). Chimpanzees have
been observed to use tools to break the fruits into small pieces that they can
eat.[1] The fruits contain polyphenols.
Description
and origin
Treculia
africana is
a species of tree known as 'African breadfruit'. Many names are given to this
species, but the most common is "ukwa".[3]
The
geographical distribution of Treculia africana extends through
West and Central Africa. The species can grow below altitudes of 1,500 metres
(4,900 ft).[3]
Treculia
africana is
a large tree and is part of the family Moraceae. It grows in wet areas and forests.
The species can grow up to a height of 30 metres (98 ft). The girth of the
stem can attain 6 metres (20 ft). The bark is grey and discharges a
cream latex. The leaves are large and dark green
above and lighter below. Trees dioecious (sexes on separate trees) or
sometimes monoecious. Leaves in
two ranks; stipules amplexicaul (enclosing the bud). Inflorescences unisexual,
sometimes bisexual, globose, borne in the leaf axils or on the older wood and
branches. Pistillate (female) flowers lining the outer surface of a large
receptacle (‘bread fruit’). The flowering period is from October until
February. The fruit is big, round and greenish yellow. The texture of the fruit
is spongy when it is ripe and it contains abundant seeds, which are the edible
part of this fruit. Under good environmental conditions, the yield from one
tree attains 200 kg dried seeds. Seeds are dicotyledonous[3]
Varieties
Based on
detailed field observations, 3 varieties are distinguished within the
subspecies: Treculia africana var. africana (Extending from
Senegal to Southern Sudan and south to Angola, central Mozambique and Principe
and Sao Tomé islands), Treculia africana var. inversa (Anambra
State, Edo and Delta States, more abundant in the eastern states of Nigeria)
and Treculia africana var. mollis (Isolated localities in Edo
and Delta States of Nigeria, Cameroun, DR.Congo, Gabon and Cabinda).
Their
taxonomic differences are based mainly on the size of the fruit head
(infructence) and the hairiness of branchlets and leaves. There is a striking
variation in the number of fruit heads produced by trees belonging to Treculia
african var. africana (with large fruit heads) and Treculia
african var. inversa (with small fruit heads). The former is clearly
superior in the weight of seeds produced while the latter produces more fruit
and also produces twice as many branches.
Key to the varieties of Treculia Africana
1.
Branchlets, petioles and undersurface of leaves soon glabrous, shining and
glossy; leaves ovate-epilliptic:
•
Fruit head large, over 20 cm in diam.(Very large, being usually over 60 cm in
longitudinal circumference), often smooth; seeds also large, rounded, sometimes
elongated, about 1.3 cm long; mesocarp over 5 cm thick; slash pinkish (var.
africana)
•
Fruit heads small, usually less than 20 cm in diam., often knobbly or wrinkled;
seeds small, elongated, sometimes more or less rounded, about 1 cm long or
less; mesocarp less than 5 cm thick; slash brownish (var. inversa)
2.
Branchlets, petioles and undersurface of leaves with persistent spreading
hairs, dull, not glossy; leaves oblong-elliptic;
•Fruit
heads small, usually less than 20 cm in diam., often knobbly or wrinkled;
seeds, small, rounded to elongated, about 1 cm long; mesocarp less than 5 cm
thick; slash pinkish (var. mollis)
Uses
Human
food
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 nutrition value. Fresh seeds contain 38.3% carbohydrate, 17.7%
crude protein and 15.9% fat. Readily available in many developing African
countries, Treculia africana can be an alternative to rice and
yam.[3] The seeds of Treculia
africana can be ground to flour, pressed for oil and used as
flavouring in alcoholic drinks.
It is known
that African breadfruit a good adjunct in brewing because it is a source of
fermentable sugars. For success with the brewing, see the study of Nwabueze et
al. (2011).[13] They find that the yield
production of ethanol is enhanced when its defatted seeds are used.
Wood
products
The wood has
many uses such as firewood, for furniture and for home and other building
construction. It can also be processed into paper.
Fodder
In countries
like Malawi and Tanzania, the fruit-head pulp and bran are used to feed monkeys
and farm animals.
Environmental
functions
This tree
helps to control erosion and is a good natural source of mulch. However,
deforestation, higher demand for cultivated agricultural areas and the
increasing population reduce numbers of this important forest tree in the
African tropics.
The
traditional farming system utilises mixed cropping. For example the complete
burning of land has an erosion effect which can be minimize if these trees are
present.[14]
Afforestation
and reforestation.
Treculia
africana is used for reforestation projects in Africa. The Nutrecul
Agroforestry Project an authority in Treculia nursery is taking
the lead and has the most genetic variation of Treculia trees. The organization
has the largest collection of invitro (Plant Tissue Culture) motherplants and
also have their own cultivariety
PRICES
$28/KG OR $12.72/IB
For more information:
mobile: +2348039721941
contact person: emeaba uche
e-mail: emeabau@yahoo.com
website: www.franchiseminerals.com
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