ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 4977
Poster No. = 2379


DACRYODES EDULIS (G. DON) LAM. (BURSERACEAE) A REVIEW OF AN UNDER-EXPLOITED FOREST FOOD PLANT: BOTANY AND POTENTIAL UTILIZATION


M. O. Nwosu, Botany Dept., University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria


The botany and potential utilization of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H.J. Lam. (Burseraceae), an under-exploited tropical forest food plant were reviewed. The fruit is edible, the leaves and bark are medicinal. The fruit is eaten with Zea mays L. during the rainy seasons in Nigeria. The fruit pulp fat consists of fatty acids which are identical to the symmetrical mono-unsaturated triglycerides in cocoa-butter. The fats are ideal for margarine, drug production, the seeds for livestock feeds, and tree utilization in agroforestry. Fruits and honey could be sold as export products. The timber is light and heavily impregnated with resins and therefore ideal for furniture making. The tree could be grown commercially thus, harvesting fruits with longer storage durability through crossing of germplasms and biotechnology. This will ensure the conservation and protection of this endangered tree species in the humid tropics.


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