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Species Name
Sterculia africana (Lour.) Fiori
Family
Sterculiaceae
Local Name(s)
Qawureta (Konsogna)
General description
S. africana can grow into big
tree with pods containing seeds, which are full of oil. The trunk is big
and the bark is smooth and of reddish-brown colour.
Edible part(s),
preparation methods and palatability
Seeds are edible. They are full of
oil and can be consumed raw or roasted. People like to consume the seeds
roasted together with maize. It is considered as a typical famine food
because the seeds are rarely being consumed in normal times. People rely
on the seeds as one alternative food resource in food shortage periods.
In normal times pods with seeds and also leaves are fed to animals.
Agroecology
It commonly
grows in the lowlands.
Propagation
Method(s)
Propagates by
seeds, wildlings.
Sample location
(s)
Jarso
Kebele, Konso
Remarks
Barks are used for tying purposes
in house and local beehive construction. The smooth nature of the bark
does not allow wild animals like monkeys robbing honey. When the pods are
dried seeds shatter. In Southern Ethiopia these trees are often heavily
pruned (see picture below) and not many do reach their original dimensions.
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Seed pods with seeds.
A small S. africana tree in the bush
near Segen River, Konso. |
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