Lannea microcarpa
| Tree grapes (Lannea microcarpa) | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Lannea microcarpa [1] |
| Common names | Tree grapes; African grape [1] [2] |
| Genus | Lannea [1] |
| Family | Anacardiaceae [1] |
| Order | Sapindales [1] |
| Growth form | Deciduous savanna tree, described to about 15–16 m [2] [3] |
| Fruit | Purplish-black, ellipsoid, one-seeded fruit about 1.5 cm long [2] [3] |
| Soil and water | Deep, friable soil in moist tropical conditions [2] [3] |
| Propagation | Seed; fresh seed germination reported at 25–35 °C, with 30 °C optimum [2] |
Lannea microcarpa, commonly called tree grapes or African grape, is a deciduous West African savanna tree preserved and sometimes semi-cultivated for its edible fruit. Descriptions place it at about 15–16 m and associate it with moist tropical regions and deep, friable soil. [2] [3]
Description[edit | edit source]
The species is a deciduous tree of the West African savanna, with distribution described from Senegal to Cameroon. It is retained on cultivated land in some areas as a food tree. [2]
The fruit is purplish-black, ellipsoid and about 1.5 cm long, with a single seed. The fruit is described as edible fresh or dried, and its pulp is also used for fermented or cooked-fruit drinks. [2] [3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
The native setting is West African savanna, and the species is associated with moist tropical regions and deep, friable soil. A sensible starting point is a deep root zone with a friable texture and dependable moisture during active growth, without treating those broad habitat descriptions as a fixed irrigation schedule. [2] [3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Savanna habitat indicates a seasonal, relatively open landscape rather than a permanently closed-forest setting. Match the site to the moist-tropical, savanna context, and do not treat a precise light or humidity number as a species requirement. [2] [3]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The tree sheds its leaves during the dry season. Flowering is reported at the end of the dry season, before the new leaves appear. In cultivation, this seasonal rhythm is useful when interpreting leaf fall and planning moisture management: the dry-season transition should not automatically be treated as disease or permanent decline. [3]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed is the recorded propagation method. Fresh seed is reported to germinate at 25–35 °C, with an optimum around 30 °C; germination is generally low, and scarification or pre-soaking may improve the result. Use these figures as a starting range rather than a guaranteed schedule. [2]
Seed storage needs attention because viability declines at 25–30 °C. Longer viability is associated with about 6% moisture and lower temperatures, including freezer storage at −18 °C. [3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Lannea microcarpa is dioecious: male and female forms occur separately. A planting intended to produce fruit and seed therefore needs both sexes; an individual tree should not be treated as self-fruitful. [2]
Flowering occurs at the end of the dry season before the new leaves emerge. Ripe fruit is purplish-black and ellipsoid, about 1.5 cm long. [3]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The one-seeded fruit is eaten raw or dried. Its pulp is also used in fermented or cooked-fruit drinks. [3]