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Ongokea gore: An Overview
Ongokea gore, also known as Angueuk (in trade) or Boleko Nut, is a tree valued for its oil and timber.
Considerations for Pets
- The tree produces an oil-rich seed.
- The plant may be present in home gardens.
Scientific Classification
- Scientific Name: Ongokea gore (Hua) Pierre
- Family: Olacaceae
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Synonyms: Ongokea kamerunensis Engl., Ongokea klaineana Pierre
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Africa.
- Found in dense evergreen forests and humid semi-deciduous forests.
- Specific regions include: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, and D.R. Congo (Zaire).
Morphological Characteristics
- Evergreen glabrous tree reaching heights of (9-)30-50 meters.
- Straight, cylindrical bole, sometimes swollen at the base.
- Free bole height of 15-20 meters, with a diameter of 0.8-1.25 meters.
- Branches are compressed and 2-winged.
- Leaves are elliptic with a cuneate base.
Traditional and Modern Uses
- The oil extracted from the tree is distinct from other vegetable oils in its composition and properties. Known as isano oil.
- The wood (Angueuk) is used locally in heavy construction, for railway sleepers, vehicle frames, and interior work.
- Bark extracts have milk-clotting properties.
- Historically, the oil has been the subject of memoranda regarding vegetable oils (1944-1946).
Quirky Facts
- The timber from Ongokea gore is known by different names depending on the region, such as "ko" in Abe, Ivory Coast.
Further Resources
- Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database
- African Plants Database
- Discover Life
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)