Common Name: African Nutmeg

General Information

Monodora myristica is a deciduous tree with a huge, lush crown; it can grow from 10 - 35 metres tall, exceptionally to 40 metres[, , ]. The bole can be up to 2 metres in diameter[].
The tree is particularly valued for its aromatic seed, which is used as a condiment, medicinally, and also to make rosaries and necklaces. Usually harvested from the wild, the seeds are often sold in local markets in W. Africa[]. The tree is also occasionally cultivated for its seeds on the Antilles and in Indonesia[]. A very ornamental tree with its attractive leaves and orchid-like, conspicuous and scented flowers[, ].
Monodora myristica is a common tree with a very wide geographic distribution from West to Central Africa. Although it may be facing habitat loss locally, its overall extent of occurrence is large, and the species is found in 23 protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Gambia to Sudan and Kenya, south to Angola and Tanzania.

Habitat

Evergreen and deciduous forest, often of riverine or lakeside fringing type; at elevations from 1,140 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Beetles
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a deep, fertile loam soil and a sheltered position in full sun or light shade[]. Plants grow in the wild on sandy and rocky soils[].
Trees seldom set fruit when cultivated because they lack the beetle that normally pollinates them in the wild[].

Edible Uses

The aromatic seeds are ground into a powder then used as a condiment in food, providing a flavour resembling that of nutmeg[]. The seeds are embedded in a white sweet-smelling pulp of a fruit that can be 20cm long by 15cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The bark is used to treat haemorrhoids, stomach-ache and febrile pains[].
The bark is used in a vapour-bath as a defatigant and to relieve febrile lumbago[]. The juice expressed from the bark is used to paint over itch[]. Combined with the bark of Monodora tenuifolia a lotion is prepared for use in various eye-troubles[].

The aromatic seeds are antiemetic, aperient, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[]. They are used as a stimulating addition to medicines. Ground to a powder they may be taken to treat digestive problems and relieve constipation[].
Applied externally in the form of a powder, or made up into an oily pomade, the seed can be applied to sores, especially those caused by the guinea-worm[]. It is also applied to rid the body of fleas and lice[]. The seeds are chewed up and applied to the forehead to relieve headaches and migraine[].

Other Uses

The seeds smell like nutmeg and are used to make aromatic necklaces and rosaries[, ].
They are used to repel fleas and lice[].

The seeds contain 5 - 9% of a colourless essential oil consisting largely of terpenes and with a pleasant taste and smell[]. It is of inferior value for perfuming soap[].

The seeds contain about 35 - 36% of a reddish-brown fixed oil, of which 46.9% is linoleic acid, and 35% oleic acid[]. It is not of economic value[].

The white or greyish wood is hard, somewhat tough does not split well and is easy to work[]. It is suitable for carpentry and turnery, and also used for making walking sticks[, ].

Propagation

Seed -
Layers
Suckers.

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