19 Dec Strombosia pustulata
Scientific name: Strombosia pustulata Oliv..
Common name: Itako (Yoruba), Ubelu (Igbo), Otingbo (Edo).
Family: Strombosiaceae.
Distribution and conservation status: occurs at low altitudes in evergreen and moist semi-deciduous forests, though commonly found only in undisturbed areas; LC but habitat loss and exploitation are frequent in its area of distribution.
Fruits/ seeds: fruits are globular drupes up to 3 cm in diameter, purplish black when ripe, each enclosed in a fleshy calyx. Each fruit contains a single seed with a wrinkled surface.
Fruiting time: October – December.
Seed extraction method: remove the enclosed fleshy calyx from its fruit.
Type of seed: recalcitrant with epigeal germination.
Sowing method: direct sowing.
Sowing medium: forest top soil.
Germination period: 3 months.
Germination percentage: 30%.
Planting: full shade.
Growth development: slow-growing and shade-loving, but seedlings and saplings reportedly grow well in small canopy gaps.
Notes: Do not delay the collection of its fruits, which are relished by hornbills, rodents, duikers, and elephants that in turn aid seed dispersal.