Common Name:

General Information

Argania spinosa is a spiny, evergreen usually growing 4 - 10 metres tall but exceptionally reaching 21 metres. The bole can be 100cm in diameter[]. The knotty trunk can sometimes have several criss-crossed stems[].
The tree is a very important local source of a high quality edible oil. The tree is sometimes cultivated as an oil crop and this cultivation is spreading to areas outside its native range[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northwest Africa - Algeria, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania.

Habitat

Slopes of rough hills, seeming to thrive between the rocks on poor soil, at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of very arid areas, mainly in the subtropical areas of northwest Africa, but just entering the tropics in Mauritania, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metre[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -2°c or lower, but new growth is severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 200 - 300mm, but tolerates 100 - 400mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils, including very poor, dry soils[]. The tree is well suited to calcareous soils, sandy deposits and relatively poor semi desert soils conditions but not drifting sands or water-logged soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 6 - 8[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant - they can shed their foliage and remain in a state of dormancy for several years during prolonged droughts[].
Trees may start to bear when 5 - 6 years old from seed, and reach maximum production at the age of 60 years[].
Average fruit yield may be about 8 kg per tree[].
A long-lived species, with trees living for 200 - 400 years[].
Trees respond very well to coppicing[].

Edible Uses

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[]. The white seeds contain up to 50% of a light brown oil[]. This oil is an excellent source of vitamin E, and has a high nutritional value in the human diet. The locals mix oil with almonds and honey to make an almond butter; it also mixed with wheat germ and honey to make gruel[].
The residue from the kernels, after oil extraction, is a thick chocolate-coloured paste called 'amlou' which is sweetened and served as a dip for bread at breakfast time in Berber households. Its flavour is similar to that of peanut butter[].

Medicinal

The oil from the seeds is rich in vitamin E and has properties which lower blood-cholesterol levels, stimulate circulation of the blood, facilitate digestion and strengthen the body’s natural defences. It is used as a cure for chicken pox, to treat juvenile acne and help remove stretch marks on pregnant woman[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Argania spinosa shields thin soils from erosion, especially in overgrazed lands. Its deep roots help to bind the soil, facilitate water infiltration and replenish ground water, thus helping to stabilise environmental conditions[, ].
The tree provides valuable shade for humans and livestock as well protecting pasture grasses from the extreme evapotranspiration that would result from direct exposure to sunlight[].
Argan woodlands form a green belt that functions as a buffer against desert advancement in southern Morocco[].
The plant is used for fencing and windbreaks

Other Uses

An oil obtained from the seed is used for lighting and to make soap[].

The wood is very hard, heavy and durable. It is very resistant to damage from wood-eating organisms[]. It is used in carpentry, for making agricultural implements and building poles[].
The wood is a goof fuel and makes a very good charcoal[, ]. The seed shells are also burnt as a fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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