Detarium microcarpum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Detarium microcarpum
Scientific classification
Genus:	Detarium
Species:	microcarpum

The Detarium microcarpum, also known as sweet detar or tallow tree, is a special tree. It grows naturally in the dry parts of West and Central Africa. This tree is very useful because its fruit can be eaten, it has medicinal properties, and its wood can be used as fuel. Local communities value it a lot. Scientists are still studying it to help it grow even better.

What is the Sweet Detar Tree Like?

The sweet detar tree is an African tree. It belongs to the Fabaceae family, which includes plants like peas and beans. It is usually a small tree or shrub, growing up to 15 meters (about 50 feet) tall. In very wet areas, it can sometimes reach 25 meters (about 82 feet).

This tree grows quite fast. New shoots from its trunk can grow 1.5 to 2 meters (5-6.5 feet) in just one or two years. It flowers during the rainy season, usually from July to November. The main time it flowers lasts only about 8 days. Its fruits appear from September to May. The tree loses its old leaves in November and grows new ones in March.

Where Does the Sweet Detar Tree Grow?

The sweet detar tree grows naturally in dry areas of West and Central Africa. You can find it in countries like Benin, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. Unlike some other trees in its family, D. microcarpum likes dry grasslands called savannas. Other similar trees prefer dry or humid forests.

This tree has many local names. In English, it's called sweet detar or tallow tree. In French, it's known as dankh or petit détar. People in Sudan call it Abu-laili, and in Mali, it's Tamba Dala.

How Does it Grow?

You can grow this tree from seeds or by using parts of the plant itself. It can regrow from stumps or roots after being cut. You can also grow new trees from cuttings or by grafting parts of mature trees onto young ones.

The sweet detar tree often grows in shallow, rocky soils, especially on hills. It likes areas that get about 600–1000 mm of rain each year. It is common in wooded savannas or areas where dry forests have been partly cleared. It can grow in sandy or hard soils that have a lot of iron.

How Farmers Care for Sweet Detar Trees

The seeds of the sweet detar tree can be stored for up to 5 years at room temperature. Before planting, the seeds need a special treatment called scarification. This helps them sprout. You can do this by soaking them in boiling water, then in warm water, or by carefully removing part of the seed coat.

Farmers harvest different parts of the plant when they need them. Fruits are collected from March to May and can be stored for 1–3 years in bags. Leaves are harvested from April to November. Roots and bark can be collected all year round. All these parts can be used fresh or dried for later.

Challenges for Farmers

Sometimes, natural fires and dry weather make it hard for the seeds to sprout on their own. This can be a problem for farmers. Also, too much fruit collection, uncontrolled tree cutting, too many animals grazing, and bushfires can threaten the sweet detar tree.

How Tough is the Sweet Detar Tree?

The sweet detar tree is very strong. It can handle hot weather and dry conditions. It can even grow well in poor soils. Farmers often know that if many of these trees grow in an area, the soil there might not be very fertile. The color of the tree's bark can also tell them about the soil. Red bark might mean fertile soil, while black bark could mean poor soil.

This tree also has some natural protection against pests. For example, a special liquid from its leaves can keep termites away.

What are the Uses of Sweet Detar?

Local people really love the sweet detar tree because it has so many uses. Its fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. Often, the fruit pulp is made into flour. This flour is used to thicken food and add flavor. It can be used to make cakes, bread, couscous, baby food, and even local beer. The seeds can be added to soups or cooked and eaten as vegetables. The leaves and flowers are also used as food or seasoning.

Medicinal Uses

Almost every part of the sweet detar tree has medicinal properties. Its roots, stems, bark, leaves, and fruits are used to treat various illnesses. These include problems like tuberculosis, meningitis, and diarrhea. Some studies have even shown that extracts from the tree might help fight certain viruses. Farmers also use the leaves and roots to treat their farm animals.

Other Uses

The sweet detar tree is useful in many other ways for rural communities. Its leaves can be used to make roofs for houses. The dried seeds are made into necklaces or ground into a powder for fragrance. A repellent made from the roots can help keep mosquitoes away.

The wood of the sweet detar tree is hard and resists moisture, weathering, and pests. This makes it great for building and making furniture. It also catches fire quickly, making it excellent for firewood and charcoal.

Nutritional Value

The fruit of the sweet detar tree is very healthy. It is rich in Vitamin C. It also contains good amounts of protein and sugar. Studies have shown that its fruit pulp has high levels of carbohydrates and protein. The seeds contain oil, which is good for you. The flour made from the seeds is also packed with nutrients like water, fiber, fat, protein, and important minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron.

The Economic Value of Sweet Detar

Even though the sweet detar fruit is sold in markets across West Africa, we don't have many official numbers on how much is produced or traded. For example, in 2005, 1 kilogram of fruit sold for about US$0.04 during harvest time in Mali. But it could sell for US$0.70 in a market in Senegal. The seeds were sold for about US$11.03 per kilogram in West Africa in 2004.

Poor farmers can find ways to make more money from the fruit. For instance, the fruit pulp can be made into concentrated juice or jam. This adds more value than selling the fresh fruit alone. Roasting or soaking the seeds can also make them more nutritious.

Why Sweet Detar is Important for the Future

The sweet detar tree has a lot of potential. Because it has so many uses, it can be very helpful in areas where people struggle with poverty or hunger. This is especially true in places where growing conditions are difficult. More effort is needed to encourage people to use it and to help it grow better.

Scientists need to do more research. They want to understand how the tree handles dry weather and why some trees grow better or produce more fruit than others. They also want to learn more about its medicinal, nutritional, and wood properties. This research will help ensure the tree can be used sustainably for a long time. It's also important to control tree cutting and fires. Helping local communities use their traditional knowledge can lead to better ways to use and protect this valuable tree.