Irvingia | |
---|---|
Ogbono nuts | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Irvingiaceae |
Genus: | Irvingia Hook.f. 1860 not F. Muell. 1865 (syn of Polyscias in Araliaceae) [1] |
Type species | |
Irvingia smithii | |
Synonyms [4] | |
IrvingellaTiegh. |
Irvingia is a genus of African and Southeast Asian trees in the family Irvingiaceae, sometimes known by the common names wild mango, African mango, bush mango, dika, mbukpap uyo or ogbono . They bear edible mango-like fruits, and are especially valued for their fat- and protein-rich nuts.
The fruit is a large drupe, with fibrous flesh. The subtly aromatic nuts are typically dried in the sun for preservation, and are sold whole or in powder form. They may be ground to a paste known variously as dika bread or Gabon chocolate. Their high content of mucilage enables them to be used as thickening agents for dishes such as ogbono soup. The nuts may also be pressed for vegetable oil.
The trees yield a hard wood, useful in construction.
Irvingia was described as a genus in 1860. [5] [3] It is native to Africa and Southeast Asia. [4] The genus is named in honour of Edward George Irving, a Royal Navy surgeon. [6]
List of species: [4]
Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
---|---|---|
Irvingia excelsa | C Africa | |
Irvingia gabonensis | W + C Africa | |
Irvingia grandifolia | C Africa | |
Irvingia malayana | SE Asia | |
Irvingia robur | W + C Africa | |
Irvingia smithii | W + C Africa | |
Irvingia tenuinucleata | W + C Africa | |
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Plumeria, also known as frangipani, is a genus of flowering plants in the subfamily Rauvolfioideae, of the family Apocynaceae. Most species are deciduous shrubs or small trees. The species variously are endemic to India, Bangladesh and the Neotropical realm, but are often grown as cosmopolitan ornamentals in tropical regions, especially in Hawaii, as well as hot desert climates in the Arabian Peninsula with proper irrigation.
Croton is an extensive plant genus in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The plants of this genus were described and introduced to Europeans by Georg Eberhard Rumphius. The common names for this genus are rushfoil and croton, but the latter also refers to Codiaeum variegatum. The generic name comes from the Greek κρότος, which means "tick" and refers to the shape of the seeds of certain species.
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Hymenocardia is a genus of trees in the family Phyllanthaceae first described as a genus in 1836. Most of the species are native to Africa, with one in Southeast Asia.
Heywoodia is a genus of plants in the Phyllanthaceae first described as a genus in 1907. It contains only one known species, Heywoodia lucens, native to eastern, southeastern, and southern Africa.
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Halodule is a genus of plants in the family Cymodoceaceae described as a genus in 1841. It is widespread on tropical and semi-tropical ocean shores of all continents except Europe and Antarctica.
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Coix is a genus of Asian and Australian plants in the grass family.
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