Balanites wilsoniana
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| Balanites wilsoniana | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Zygophyllales |
| Family: | Zygophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Balanites |
| Species: | B. wilsoniana |
| Binomial name | |
| Balanites wilsoniana Dawe & Sprague [1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Balanites tieghemii A.Chev. | |
Balanites wilsoniana is a species of fruit-bearing tree from west and central Africa in the caltrop family Zygophyllaceae.
Balanites wilsoniana, commonly called the Boko Tree, is a tall rainforest tree to 35 m (115 ft) tall[2] with high "lion's paw" buttresses,[3] which continue up on the trunk as twisted fluting. The deep fluting may offer some defense against stranglers. The young trees have forked spines; If the bark is cut the tree exudes copious, scented gum. The leaves are bifoliate, with two 2.5 cm (1 in) leaflets on a common stalk, and are frequently slightly unequal-sided at their base.[4] The buttresses can sometime be spiny, the trunk can grow to 1 m (3 ft) diameter and the tree can grow to 30-40 m in height, with an irregular crown.[5] It has yellow green flowers borne in stalked clusters, the petals are pubescent on their inner surface. The fruit is a green drupe, 6–10 cm in length, ripening to yellow and has an unpleasant smell. A fibrous coat surrounds the stone.[6] The seed is up to 8.8 cm (3.5 in) long by 4.7 cm (1.9 in) diameter; one of the largest seeds known.[7]
Distribution
Habitat
Balanites wilsoniana is a found in semi-deciduous or evergreen rainforest, humid forest, lowland riverine forest, and also in coastal forest in Angola. It normally forms part of quite speciose associations; especially where there are clay-rich substrates. It occurs at elevations up to 1,200 metres above sea level.[5]
Ecology
The fallen fruit of Balanites wilsoniana are eaten by African elephants and by gorillas. Gorillas also eat the leaves.[6] Elephants disperse the seeds, and juvenile trees are only recorded away from the adult trees in forests where elephants are present.[8]