Clearing Nut (Strychnos potatorum)

Family: Loganiaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Strychnos potatorum or Clearing Nut Tree is a deciduous tree reaching a height of up to 12 m upon maturity. It is well-branched, with bole growing up to 100 cm in diameter. It is highly tolerant to drought when fully grown. The bark is pale gray. The leaves are glossy, green, oval and thin. The flowers are white to yellow green and occur in clusters. The fruits are round, smooth, and softly fleshy.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young fruits - occasionally eaten or made into preserves. The pulp is eaten. They are an ingredient of 'Raja's Cup', an Ayurvedic coffee substitute. — Young fruits - occasionally eaten or made into preserves.; The pulp is eaten.; They are an ingredient of 'Raja's Cup', an Ayurvedic coffee substitute.; The fruit is a sub-globose berry 12 - 18mm in diameter with a firm pericarp, black when ripe, containing 1 - 2 seeds in a whitish pulp.

Habitat & North American Range

In gallery forest, in Brachystegia woodland, semi evergreen bushland, often on river banks, on banks of dry riverbeds, or on termitaries from sea level to elevations of 1,600 metres. (Zone 10)