Coula edulis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coula edulis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Coula
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| Species: |
edulis
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Coula edulis is a special kind of tree that grows in the warm, tropical parts of western Africa. You might hear it called the Gabon nut or African walnut. Even though it's called an "African walnut," it's not actually related to the walnuts you might know! It got its name because its nuts look a bit like walnuts. This tree is very common in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
This amazing tree is an evergreen, which means it stays green all year round. It can grow very tall, reaching heights of 25 to 38 meters. That's like a 10-story building! It has a thick, bushy top (called a crown) that gives a lot of shade. Its leaves are simple and grow one after another along the branch. They are about 10 to 30 centimeters long.
The tree produces pretty greenish-yellow flowers from April to June. After the flowers, it grows a special kind of fruit called a nut. These nuts are shaped like an oval and are ready to eat from August to January. They have a smooth, thick outer layer that can be red or green. Inside, the kernel (the part you eat) is protected by a very hard shell. This hard shell makes it tough for the seeds to sprout into new trees. You can usually find these nuts lying on the ground right under the parent tree.
People in different places have their own names for this tree:
- In Nigeria, it's called Anamemila, Apopo, or Sida.
- In Zaire, it's Bombulu.
- In Gabon and Ivory Coast, it's Dibetou.
- In Ghana, it's Mpengwa.
Uses of the Coula edulis Tree
Almost every part of the Coula edulis tree can be used! Its wood and nuts are especially important to people.
Tree Parts
The bark of the tree is used by local people to make special washes or treatments. These are sometimes used for back pains or kidney problems. The strong wood from the tree is used for many things. It can be made into strong poles for bridges or railway ties. People also use it to make charcoal for cooking and heating, and for general building projects.
Delicious Nuts
The nuts from the Coula edulis tree are very nutritious. About half of the nut is made of fat, and most of that fat is a healthy kind called oleic acid. The nuts have a mild taste, which some people say is a mix between hazelnuts and chestnuts.
You can enjoy these nuts in many ways! They can be boiled, roasted, or even fermented before you eat them. People often add them to recipes or mix them with meats. The nuts are also a great source of cooking oil and can be ground into flour.
Interestingly, these nuts are a favorite food for chimpanzees! But because the shell is so tough, the chimpanzees have to use a rock as a hammer to crack them open and get to the tasty kernel inside.
Trees of Africa
See also
In Spanish: Coula edulis para niños
