We are following the treatment in the African Plant Database[], but several other treatments accept Plukenetia conophora Müll.Arg., as the correct name[].

Common Name: Owusa Nut

General Information

Owusa nut is a climbing shrub producing stems usually 3 - 15 metres long[], though they can be up to 30 metres long[].
The plant is commonly used by local people in its native range, and is also sometimes cultivated for its oil-rich seeds[]. Cultivation trials have been carried out in Nigeria[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western and central tropical Africa - Togo to the Congo.

Habitat

Rain-forest hedge in half-shady places; low bush; secondary forest; plantations at elevations from 250 - 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked. The tasty seed has a pleasant odour, it is usually eaten boiled or roasted, and is often served with corn on the cob[, ]. The seed can be ground into a powder and used with flour in making cakes[]. Eaten raw they have a bitter flavour not unlike the kola nut and are considered to be tonic[]. The seed is thin-shelled and about 25mm long[].

The seed yields 48 - 60% of a light golden coloured oil with a flavour resembling linseed oil[]. The oil comprises linolenic acid 64%; palmitic and stearic acids 15%; oleic acid 11 %; and linoleic acid 10%[].

Fruit - eaten with rice[].

Leaves and young shoots - eaten with rice[].

Medicinal

The leaves are considered a headache cure[].

The raw seed is aphrodisiac and tonic[].

The oil obtained from the seeds has medicinal use in massages[].

Other Uses

The seed yields 48 - 60% of a drying oil[, ]. The oil dries more quickly than linseed oil[]. Known as awusa oil in the paint and varnish trade, it is usable in the paint industry provided there is a certain supply and the kernels are free from excessive free fatty acids[]. It is unsuitable for soap-manufacture[]. The fresh oil has an iodine value of 190, which is excellent for a drying oil, but the seeds do not store well and deterioration caused by enzymatic action needs to be prevented at the time of collection by heat-treatment[].

Propagation

Seed -

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