Balanites wilsoniana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Balanites wilsoniana |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Zygophyllales |
| Family: | Zygophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Balanites |
| Species: |
B. wilsoniana
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| Binomial name | |
| Balanites wilsoniana Dawe & Sprague
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| Synonyms | |
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Balanites tieghemii A.Chev. |
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The Balanites wilsoniana is a type of tree that grows in western and central Africa. It produces fruits and belongs to a plant family called Zygophyllaceae.
Contents
About the Boko Tree
The Balanites wilsoniana is often called the Boko Tree. It is a very tall forest tree. It has large, wide roots at its base called buttresses. These buttresses can sometimes have spines. The tree's trunk can grow up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) wide. The tree itself can reach heights of 30 to 40 meters (about 100 to 130 feet). Its top, or crown, looks a bit uneven.
Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit
Young Boko Trees have spines that look like forks. If you cut the bark, the tree releases a lot of sweet-smelling gum. The leaves are made of two leaflets. These leaflets are often a bit uneven at their base.
The tree produces yellow-green flowers. These flowers grow in small groups on stalks. The inside of the flower petals feels soft and fuzzy.
The fruit of the Boko Tree is green at first. It is a type of fruit called a drupe, which means it has a hard pit inside. The fruit is about 6 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) long. When it ripens, it turns yellow. It has a smell that some people find unpleasant. Inside the fruit, there is a tough, stringy layer around a very large seed. This seed can be up to 8.8 centimeters (3.46 inches) long and 4.7 centimeters (1.81 inches) wide. It is one of the biggest seeds known for a tree.
Where the Boko Tree Grows
The Balanites wilsoniana tree is found across a wide area of Africa. You can find it from Ghana in the west all the way to Uganda and Tanzania in the east. It also grows south into Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has even been seen west of Ghana, in Liberia.
Boko Tree Homes
The Boko Tree likes to live in certain types of forests. It grows in forests that are partly evergreen or fully evergreen. It also likes humid forests and forests near rivers in low-lying areas. You can also find it in coastal forests in Angola.
This tree usually grows with many other kinds of trees and plants. It especially likes areas where the soil has a lot of clay. It can be found at different heights, up to 1,200 meters (about 3,900 feet) above sea level.
Animals and the Boko Tree
The Boko Tree plays an important role in its environment. Its fallen fruits are a favorite food for large animals. African elephants and gorillas both enjoy eating the fruits. Gorillas also munch on the leaves of the tree.
Elephants are very important for spreading the seeds of the Boko Tree. When elephants eat the fruits, they carry the seeds to new places. Young Boko Trees are usually found growing away from adult trees only in forests where elephants are present. This shows how much elephants help the tree's seeds to spread and grow.
How People Use the Boko Tree
People use different parts of the Balanites wilsoniana tree for many things.
Oil from Seeds
A special cooking oil can be made from the seeds of the Boko Tree. To get the oil, people first pound the seeds. Then, they boil the pounded seeds in water. As the mixture cools, the oil floats to the top and can be carefully scooped off. This oil is used for cooking. It is also used as a soothing ointment for healing and as a lubricant.
Edible Fruit
Even though the fruit of the Boko Tree has a unique smell, it is considered safe to eat.
Traditional Uses
The bark and roots of the tree are used in traditional practices. They can be used to help control freshwater snails. These snails can carry tiny organisms that cause a disease in humans. The tree parts are also used for fishing in some areas.
Wood Uses
The wood from the Balanites wilsoniana tree is quite heavy. It has a straight grain and is fairly soft. When it is first cut, it is white, but it turns yellow over time. It is easy to work with and can be polished nicely.
Because of its qualities, the wood is good for many building projects. It is used for poles in construction. People also use it for carving, making tool handles, spoons, and walking sticks. It's also suitable for furniture like stools and large containers for grinding grain. Besides these uses, the wood is a good source of fuel and can be made into charcoal.
