The genus Detarium comprises three very similar species: Detarium microcarpum, Detarium senegalense and Detarium macrocarpum, which grow in different habitats. Detariun macrocarpum is typically found in humid forest, whilst this species is more riparian and also occurs in dry forest, and Detariun microcarpum occurs in dry savannah[].

Common Name: Tallow Tree

General Information

Detarium senegalense is a deciduous tree with a relatively short bole and a large, very leafy crown; it can grow from 15 - 36 metres tall[].
The plant is gathered from the wild for food and medicine and the plant is semi-cultivated in Senegal[]. The dried seedpods are sold as a food in local markets[].

Known Hazards

The bark is said to be poisonous[].
The fruit is toxic, but a non-toxic form is eaten[].
The toxicity of the fruit is determined by the tree. There are toxic trees and non-toxic trees of the same species. There is currently no way to determine toxicity of a fruit once it is separated from the tree. You can tell that a tree is "bad" because fruit lying on the ground will not be eaten by birds, insects, etc. whereas fruits on the ground under a good tree will be devoured by animals[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Senegal to Sudan.

Habitat

Closed- and fringing forest in the moister savannah regions; open savannah; to elevations of 650 metres alt[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A species of tropical forest areas where the average annual rainfall is in the range of 1,500 - 1,600mm[].

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or dried[]. Used as a sweetmeat[]. The fruit contains a green, sweetly-flavoured mesocarp[]. The sweet pulp from the fruits is used as a substitute for sugar[]. The fruit is toxic but a non-toxic form is eaten[].

Although no other records for this species has been seen yet, it probably has most, if not all, the same uses as the closely related D. microcarpum[].

Medicinal

The fruits, seeds, bark, leaves, and wood are used for medicinal purposes[].

Although no other records for this species has been seen yet, it probably has most, if not all, the same uses as the closely related D. microcarpum[].

Other Uses

The tree produces a fragrant resin[].

The grey wood is hard with a fine, regular grain[]. It is resistant to insects and works well[]. Used for carpentry, joinery etc[].
The wood is well appreciated as firewood, as it lights quickly even if wet, burns slowly and gives off a pleasant aroma[, ].

Although no other records for this species has been seen yet, it probably has most, if not all, the same uses as the closely related D. microcarpum[].

Propagation

Seed -

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