Common Name: Tara Nut

General Information

Tara nut is an unarmed, multi-stemmed, much branched, spreading shrub with a dense crown; it can grow up to 4 - 6 metres tall[].
The seeds are harvested from wild plants for local use[]. The species has been recommended as a crop for other semi-arid areas in th tropics, and is currently under investigation as a potential nut crop in Western Australia[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western Africa - Madagascar.

Habitat

Exposed seaward facing rocky limestone escarpment and the sandy soils immediately below, growing at altitudes between 15 - 100 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

A plant of the drier, lowland tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 100 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 30°c, but can tolerate 14 - 38°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 400 - 500mm, but tolerates 250 - 650mm[]. The local rainfall is bimodal and very erratic[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Prefers growing in an alkaline soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 8, tolerating 6 - 8.5[]. Established plant are very drought tolerant[].
The aerial growth is characteristically zigzag with rapid development of side branches requiring plants to be well spaced in nursery to prevent entanglement; root growth rapid. After 1 year, two growth forms are noted, a spreading open bush or the less common compact, somewhat fastigiate bush[]

Edible Uses

The seeds are eaten raw after discarding the brittle testa[]. The cotyledons are agreeably sweet with a cashew-like flavour, smooth consistency and a flexible, rather plastic texture[]. Apparently not used in cooking; when eaten green the flavour is reminiscent of fresh garden peas[]. The seeds are 2.5 cm long, 1.6 cm across, testa thin and brittle[].
The nuts contain 38-43% available carbohydrates, 26-32% unavailable carbohydrates, 14-16% protein and 6-9% fat, comparing favourably with those of Cordeauxia edulis. However, the ingestion of 100 g kernels, ca. 84 raw seeds, may inhibit human production of chymotrypsin and cause digestive upsets, although this could possibly be reduced by cooking or roasting the seeds[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant shows possible potential for use in windbreaks and hedges[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - In Australia seed sown in 20 cm long tubes; germination rapid after soaking for 10 hours. Plant at 4 m x 4 m spacing after 3 months[].
Seeds require storage under conditions of low temperature and low relative humidity[].

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Captcha: if i have 3 bananas, and i eat them all, how many bananas did i just eat?