Banket mahogany (Trichilia emetica)

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

Trichilia emetica is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees, Sunbirds.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet, milky, potable liquid is extracted from the arils. — A sweet, milky, potable liquid is extracted from the arils.; The fleshy seed envelope is chewed as a substitute for kola.; The skinned seeds can be eaten raw or soaked in water and ground, the resultant liquid mixed with spinach dishes.; The seedcoat is poisonous and should be removed.

Habitat & North American Range

Locally frequent in riparian forest and in some types of munga woodland; it can be found occasionally in swamp forest, montane forest, savannah or alluvial lowland rainforest and escarpment miombo. (Zone 10)