Author:
Jan Scholten
Book:
Qjurious
Type:
Info
Chapter:
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Ochna pulchra
Region: Africa, Congo, DR Congo, Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, northern S. Africa.
Habitat: open deciduous woodland or scrub; frequently on sand or rocky terrain; from 900 - 2,120 metres.
Use: fruit, raw, cooked, unripe green, roasted;
Use: ornamental, beautiful tree; fruit, boiled for fat skimmed off the surface, unpleasant smell, edible; fat, greenish brown oil, unpleasant-smelling for polish iron, candles, soap; wood for small ornaments, household items, spoons and pipes, arrows.
Botany
Shrub or tree; widely spreading branches; 8 metres, up to 10.5 metres tall.
Stem: conspicuous; greyish bark peeling off, smooth, yellowish or cream to milky white undersurface; wood is pale brown or light reddish, soft, grained with a curious papery feel when planed smooth.
Flowers: sweetly scented.
Fruit: high in fat content.
Seeds: poisonous.