Characteristics
A large shrub or small evergreen tree. The stems are rigid. The leaves are in threes and have up to 3 branches in their axils. The leaves can taper and be spiny. The leaf blades are broadly oval or round and 3 cm across. The flowers occur singly. They are usually at the ends of side shoots. The flowers have a scent. The flowers are tubes or funnel shaped and pale yellow or white. The fruit are woody and oval. They have a rough surface and usually prominent ridges.
| Life form |
perennial
|
| Growth form |
tree
|
| Growth support |
-
|
| Foliage retention |
|
| Sexuality |
hermaphrodite
|
| Pollination |
-
|
| Spread |
-
|
| Mature width (meter) |
-
|
| Mature height (meter) |
1.0 - 8.0
|
| Root system |
-
|
| Rooting depth (meter) |
-
|
| Root diameter (meter) |
-
|
| Flower color |
-
|
| Blooming months |
-
|
| Fruit color |
-
|
| Fruiting months |
-
|
| Nitrogen fixer |
-
|
| Photosynthetic pathway |
-
|
Environment
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in dry sandy soils. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall over 300 mm. It cannot tolerate frost. It can tolerate drought. It is often on termite mounds. It grows between 750-1,125 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
| Light |
-
|
| Soil humidity |
-
|
| Soil texture |
-
|
| Soil acidity |
-
|
| Soil nutriment |
-
|
| Hardiness (USDA) |
-
|
Usage
The fruit pulp is used in porridge and eaten fresh.
Cultivation
Plants are grown from seeds. They take about 3 weeks to germinate. Seedlings can be transplanted. Plants are easily grown from cuttings. They are best if treated with rooting hormone.
| Mode |
cuttings
seedlings
|
| Germination duration (days) |
25 - 30
|
| Germination temperacture (C°) |
21 - 23
|
| Germination luminosity |
-
|
| Germination treatment |
-
|
| Minimum temperature (C°) |
-
|
| Optimum temperature (C°) |
-
|
| Size |
-
|
| Vigor |
-
|
| Productivity |
-
|
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