Maggi Counter-Archive
Ricinodendron heudelotii
This is the latin name given by colonial institutions under which most scientific articles are published.
NAMES
Njangsa / Elulo / Akpwi / Akpèma / Apkopkotin / Apkopko / Ayakorwor / Erimando / Egui Guèlèdè / Erimidun / Kapki Igbodo / Akpokponi / Omodan / Munguella / Essessan / Bofeko / Wama / Okhuen / Kishongo / ...
Protologue
The latin name Ricinodendron heudelotii was first published in the Annales de l'Institut Botanico-Géologique Colonial de Marseille 5(2): 40 in 1898.
Botanical Notes
The Njangsa tree is very tall, it can achieve a hight of 50 meters. It grows in the subtropical and tropical zones of the African continent, from Senegal to Tanzania and can also be found in Madagascar. As it needs a lot of sun to grow, its preferred places are open parts of forests and on forest edges.
Preparation of Njangsa Seeds
After having collected the fruits from the ground, the fruit pulp is left to rot. Then, the fruits are washed and boiled to extract the Njangsa stones. After one night in cold water, they are boiled again until their shells crack. With a knife, the shells are removed and the seeds are left to dry.
Culinary Uses
The Njangsa seeds are used to flavour and thicken stews and soups in West and Central Africa. People also extract oil from the seeds which is used for cooking and for cosmetics in the form of body lotions. The protein-rich leaves are cooked and eaten with dried fish. In DR Congo, the tree is used to attract edible caterpillars.
Medicinal Uses
The oil extraced from the Njangsa seeds has more than 85% of unsaturated fatty acids and a very high Iodine value. These properties mean that the seeds of this tree have anti-cancerogenic, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory activities.
The Fon socio-linguistic group uses the leaves and bark of the Njangsa tree to make herbal teas that treat dysmenorrhea, cough, dizziness and anemia.
Socio-Cultural Uses
In Cameroon and other countries, the Njangsa seeds are used for a traditional game called Songho. In Sierra Leone, they are used for rattles for bundu dances and in Nigeria, a game called Okwe is played with them.
The wood of the Njangsa tree is used to make the Guèlèdè mask, which has the power of a mother and is fabricated for a cultural Yoruba dance. Therefore, the Holli and Nagot people of Benin call the Njangsa tree "Erimando" which means that it is the king of all trees in the forest.
In Uganda, the Semliki and Unyoro people use the wood to make doors for their huts and in southern Nigeria and DR Congo, drums are carved from it.
Ecology & Economy
The Njangsa tree is one of the native species planted in the Etinde Community forest, South West Region of Cameroon, by the non-profit organization Ecological Balance Cameroon. The planted trees provide a habitat for wildlife, help recharge ground water and mitigate climate change and, as they are mostly local spices-producing trees, they are an important source of income for forest adjacent communities and a tool for decentralization.
VIDEO
Njansa tree: Opportunity in a nutshell
Library
1 / Tree planting Archives - Ecological Balance
Ecological Balance Cameroon. “Tree planting Archives – Ecological Balance.” Ecological Balance Cameroon, http://www.ecobalances.org/tag/tree-planting/.
2 / Use and Socio-Economic Values of Ricinodendron Heudelotii
Hounsoun-Dindin, Guillaume, Rodrigue Castro Gbedomon, Kolawolé Valère Salako, Aristide Cossi Adomou, Achille Assogbadjo, and Romain Glele Kakaï. 2022. “Use and Socio-Economic Values of Ricinodendron Heudelotii (Bail.) Pierre, a Wild Oil Species in Benin.” International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation 14 (1): 14–25. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJBC2021.1526.
3 / PROTA: Ricinodendron heudelotii
Tchoundjeu, Z. and Atangana, A.R., 2007. Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex Heckel. Record from PROTA4U. van der Vossen, H.A.M. & Mkamilo, G.S. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp. Accessed 3 January 2023.