Detarium senegalense

Detarium senegalense is a leguminous tree in the subfamily Detarioideae. Unlike most members of the family, it produces globular fruits Its common names include ditax, ditakh, detar, and tallow tree. The tree is of value for several reasons: it produces nutritious fruits, is locally prominent in folk medicine is a source of quality timber. It could contribute to food security, sustainable land care, and rural development. As its Linnaean name indicates, it is native to Senegal and the surrounding countries of West Africa. Detarium senegalese is a medium-sized tree that may grow up to 40 m tall. Like many trees in the Detarioideae, they have thick, irregularly placed branches. The trunks of mature trees typically range from 60–100 cm in diameter. The fruit is a globular, dark green drupe with fibrous pulp and a single seed. They are similar to the fruits of the tamarind, which belongs to Tamarindus, another genus in the subfamily Detarioideae. The sweet and sour flavour of the fruit is popular and the shelf life is good because of the hard shell and dry pulp. To establish the tree more widely as an agricultural line, some genetic work is required; for example some of the trees produce toxic fruits and there is currently no method of differentiating them from trees that grow desirable fruit. Trees of the genus Detarium have not as yet been subjected to systematic culture or genetic improvement, and currently they remain confined to their countries of origin in West Africa. The fruits produced by the Detarium senegalense tree were described as “detar” in 1789, by De Jussieu in Senegal, Africa. Being discovered in Senegal, these trees still remain an important contributor to the country’s local food system and economy. Detarium senegalense trees are typically found growing in gallery forests, savannas, or along river banks. Detarium senegalense trees are propagated by stones which are often distributed by animals who consume the fruits. Germination occurs 6–10 weeks after propagation, though the germination rate is typically low. Although tallow trees are leguminous, they do not fix significant amounts of nitrogen. The Detarium senegalense tree has two phases of fructification. Trees generally lose their leaves at the beginning of March and experience a renewal of leaves a few weeks later. After young leaves have developed, flowering occurs. As the fruits ripen, they develop a sweeter flavour and increased vitamin C content. Fruits reach full maturation from August–November depending on the climate of the region they are growing in. Trees are drought tolerant and have the ability to grow on infertile sites as they are relatively insensitive to soil, altitude, heat, and humidity. Their wood has good resistance to termites, pinhole borers, and marine bores; however, the wood is susceptible to Lyctus attack. Several parts of the Detarium senegalense tree are utilized for a variety of purposes, but mainly for folk medicine. The bark of the tree is most widely used in preparations for: the expulsion of the placenta after birth and treatment of anaemia; wounds, skin problems, bronchitis, pneumonia, stomach ache and digestive disorders; tuberculosis; and cases of heavy blood loss. Root decoctions are used to treat marasmus, debility, intestinal complaints, and convulsions. Leaf and shoot mixtures have been used in the treatment of dysentery, conjunctivitis, arthritis, fractures, and boils. Seeds have been applied to control blood-glucose levels in diabetic individuals, for the treatment of mosquito bites and as an antidote against arrow poison and snake bite.