Common Name: Gingerbread Plum

General Information

Gingerbread plum is a small, bushy, evergreen tree growing up to 10 metres tall, often less[]. It has a gnarled bole and a rounded, bushy crown with densely tomentose branchlets[].
A multipurpose tree with a range of uses. The edible fruit is much esteemed by local people who collect from the wild in quantity and also semi-cultivate the plant to encourage its presence[, ]. It is often sold in local markets and is said to be available all year round in Nigeria[]. The plant also has an edible seed, a range of medicinal applications, provides a useful timber and a number of other commodities.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Savannah areas from Senegal to Sudan.

Habitat

Sandy beaches in coastal areas, in a strip up to 300 km wide; also found inland, 700 - 1,000 km from the coast, in the driest savannah regions, on banks of sandy seasonal watercourses and on sandstone cliffs[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The tree fruits all year round in some areas[].
The tree appears to survive annual fires when growing in the savannah[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[, ]. A soft, mealy pulp[]. Highly esteemed in some areas, but not so well liked in others - possibly because choicer fruits are available at the same time[]. The ellipsoid fruit is about 5 cm long[].

The kernel is edible[]. It contains up to 62% oil, plus some protein and two phytosterols: parincerium sterol A and B[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the bark, leaves or dried fruit pulp is commonly used as a mouthwash, and to treat toothache[, ]. The leaves are also chewed or applied topically for the same reason[].
A lotion made from the macerated bark is used as an eyewash to soothe inflamed eyes[, ].

A decoction of the bark or leaves is taken internally for treating respiratory troubles[].
The powdered bark is applied externally to bring relief over areas of deep-seated pain[].

The root is haemostatic[]. The powdered root is combined with Securidaca longepedunculata and used as an antidote to poison[].
The root is powdered then decocted in water to be used as a gargle against toothache[]. It is applied externally as a cicitrisant on wounds, being used especially when the penis is circumcised[].

A fruit-decoction is taken against diarrhoea[].

The endocarp bears within it a layer of hairs which are held to be anthelmintic in children[]. Because they tend to stick in the gullet, the hairs are administered with a ripe banana taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. The endocarp is sometimes sold in local markets as a vermifuge for taking with milk or better still with a banana[]. Hospital tests have shown evidence of effectiveness against helminths[]. In this treatment the endocarpic hairs were placed in capsules for ease of swallowing[]. The hairs have been shown to contain ceryl palmitate[].

Other Uses

The rind from the fruit is aromatic[]. It is used to impart a pleasant smell to ointments[, ].

Before it reaches maturity, fishermen obtain a sticky substance from the fruit which they use for smearing on their tackle and to stop cracks in leaking pots[].

The endocarp bears within it a layer of hairs which can be used for tinder[].

The kernel contains up to 62% of a drying oil known as 'neou oil'[]. An excellent drying oil, it is composed of oleic acid 40%, eleostearic acid 31 %, linoleic acid 15%, palmitic acid 12% and stearic acid 2%[]. Neou oil finds local use, mixed with palm-oil, as a pleasant-smelling body-unguent[]. The kernel has been recorded as containing 62% oil, while 9% has been found in the endocarp[].

The nut is burnt to ash and is used in making soap[].

The light brown wood is fairly hard, it works and polishes well[, ]. It is used for boards, construction, canoes etc[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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