''Pentaclethra macrophylla'', also known as the African oil bean, tree is a large size tree with long bipinnate compound leaves that is endemic to
West
West or Occident is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from east and is the direction in which the Sunset, Sun sets on the Earth.
Etymology
The word "west" is a Germanic languages, German ...
and Central Africa. It is within the family
. Seeds of the species are prepared and fermented to make Ugba, a soup condiment in
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
.
Description
A large tree that is capable of growing up to 36 meters tall, mature trees are scaly, brown barked and low branching; the base of the tree has thick buttressed roots while the trunk is gnarled and twisted.
Leaves, up to 45 cm long, alternate, bipinnately compound in arrangement, 9-13 pairs of opposite pinnae with 8-14 pairs of leaflets per pinnae, leaflets are rhombic in shape; stipule is 3–5 mm long and petiole can be up to 8 cm long. Leaflets are oblong to elliptical in outline, 1.2-2.5 cm long and 5–8 mm wide, apex is rounded to obtuse, leaf base is unequal, either auriculate or cuneate. Inflorescence, terminal or axial, up tp 30 cm long in spiciform panicles; calyx tube is 0.7 mm long, calyx lobes are 5, up to 0.5 mm long, petals are also 5, up to 3 mm long. Flowers are fragrant and pale yellow in color, flowering period is between February to April. Fruit is a dark brown -blackish pod, up to 50 cm long, 10 cm wide and 2 cm in thickness, 6-10, seeded, the seeds that have a purplish brown testa, are 3.5–6 cm long and up to 1 cm thick.
Distribution
Occurs in the forest zones of Senegal eastwards to Sudan and southwards to Angola.
Uses
After processing and fermentation, the processed seeds containing carbohydrates that is rich in fructose and glucose, fatty oil that is rich in
oleic and
linoleic acid
Linoleic acid (LA) is an organic compound with the formula COOH(CH2)7CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)4CH3. Both alkene groups are cis-trans isomerism, ''cis''. It is a fatty acid sometimes denoted 18:2 (n-6) or 18:2 ''cis''-9,12. A linoleate is a salt (chem ...
, protein and amino acids are used as condiments in soups and salad or eaten. Oil extracts from the seeds are used to make 'owala' butter, an ingredient used in making candles, lubricants and ointments in Central Africa.
A decoction of the bark is applied as a topical treatment for sores and wounds.
In parts of Nigeria, leaf extracts are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhea related ailments.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3327335
Flora of West Tropical Africa
Mimosoids