🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
The African pear fruit is edible, rich in fats, vitamins, and minerals, used raw or cooked. The pulp can be processed into oils and fats. The tree provides shade and can be used in agroforestry systems. The leaves can be used as livestock feed. No significant subspecies or cultivars are noted for specific permaculture applications beyond basic variety selection for fruit yield and size.
Permapeople description
The safou (Dacryodes edulis) is an evergreen tree native to Africa, also known as African pear or butter fruit. The fruit is a dark blue to purple colour and has a buttery texture when cooked.
Botanical description
Dacryodes edulis is an evergreen tree, typically reaching heights of 18-40 meters. The bole is often straight and cylindrical, reaching up to 1 meter in diameter. Bark is gray to brown, smooth when young, becoming rough and fissured with age. Leaves are compound, alternate, and pinnate, with 5-9 leaflets. Leaflets are ovate to elliptical, glossy green. Flowers are small, greenish-white, and borne in panicles. Fruits are oblong or ellipsoid drupes, about 5-12 cm long, with a thin, dark blue to purple skin and a fleshy, oily pulp. The fruit contains a single seed. It's a dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers are on separate trees.
Companion planting
The African pear is often grown in mixed cropping systems with crops like plantains, cocoa, and coffee. There are no well-documented detrimental companion plants. It's generally compatible with nitrogen-fixing trees and shrubs that can improve soil fertility.
Propagation methods
Propagation is primarily through seeds, although grafting and budding can be used to propagate desirable cultivars. Seeds require pre-treatment to improve germination rates, such as scarification or soaking. Air layering is also possible.
History and traditions
The African pear has been cultivated for centuries in Central and West Africa as a staple food source. Traditionally, the fruits are consumed raw, boiled, roasted, or fried. In some cultures, the tree is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. It holds a significant role in local diets and economies, often sold in local markets.
Usage calendar
Flowering typically occurs during the dry season. Fruit production is seasonal, varying by location, usually peaking during the rainy season (May to October in many regions). Planting is best done at the start of the rainy season. Pruning is done after harvest to maintain tree shape and promote fruit production.