Coula edulis

Coula edulis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Santalales
Family:	Olacaceae
Genus:	Coula
Species:	C. edulis
Binomial name
Coula edulis Baill.

Coula edulis is a tree in the genus Coula, native to tropical western Africa from Sierra Leone to Angola. It is plentiful in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. It prefers tropical regions and is tolerant of light shade. It can be found in the top canopy of forest as well as the lower story and has no special soil requirements.

It is an evergreen tree growing to a height of 25-38 m, and has a dense crown that can cast deep shade. The leaves are arranged alternately, simple, 10-30 cm long and 4 cm broad, with an entire margin and an acuminate apex. The flowers are produced from April to June, and are greenish yellow, with either four or five petals.

The nut is an ellipsoidal drupe available from August to January, 3-4 cm long, with flesh surrounding the kernel, 5-6 mm thick, smooth in texture and can be red or green. The kernel shell is extremely hard and makes germination difficult. The nuts are usually found under the mother trees.

Common names include Gabon Nut, African Walnut, Congowood, Tigerwood. It is not related to the Walnut, being so named because its nuts bear a superficial resemblance to the Walnut.

Local names

• Anamemila, Apopo, Sida in Nigeria
• Bombulu in Zaire
• Dibetou in Gabon and Ivory Coast
• Mpengwa in Ghana

Dialect names

• Akiouhia in Ebrié
• Atsan in Atié
• Bogüe in Agni
• Howôtou in Oubi
• Ouatou in Kroumen
• Séatou or Sratou in Guéré

Uses

Every part of the tree is used in both raw and finished states. Its timber and nuts are used extensively. The bark is used locally to produce rinses or enemas for loin pains or kidney problems. The wood is used to make pilings for bridges and railway ties in addition to charcoal and standard construction. It is also used for furniture and cabinetwork construction, decorative veneers, paneling, fixtures and joinery.

The wood is bronze-coloured, yellow-brown with irregular dark lines which is how the name tigerwood was derived. It is extremely hard, heavy, close-grained, and resists water well, making it a valuable hardwood. Increasing that value is the fact that it can come in large sizes, has an attractive appearance and easy to shape with tools. Woods from tropical Africa are coming under export restrictions to curb excessive logging.

Nuts

The nut is 50% fat of which 87% is oleic acid. The flavour is mild and is said to be between the flavour of hazelnuts and chestnuts. Used in a variety of ways it can be boiled, roasted and fermented before being eaten. The nuts can be used in recipes and mixed with meats. It is also a source of cooking oil and ground flour.

References

• Davidson, Alan. Oxford Companion to Food (1999). Gabon Nut, p. 328.
• Agro Forestry Database: Coula edulis