Strombosia pustulata

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.

Strombosia pustulata
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