Naras. Butterpips

Acanthosicyos horridus

Physical Characteristics

Acanthosicyos horridus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Tropical Africa - Namib Desert from southern Angola to S. Africa.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Seed Edible Uses: Oil Fruit - raw, cooked or preserved[46 , 301 ]. Juicy, with a pleasant, sweet-acid flavour[299 , 301 ]. The fruit is up to 7cm long[200 ] and weighs up to 900g[299 ]. Ripe fruits are collected and either buried in the soil or left in the sun for softening, after which they are peeled and then boiled until the seeds become loose[299 ]. The pulp is allowed to thicken and turns into a dark orange colour. After separating the seeds, the thick remaining pulp is poured out and allowed to dry in the sun. It solidifies in a few days, forming flat leathery cakes, which are then cut into strips or rolled up for storage[299 ]. These fruity rolls have good keeping quality and can be chewed or added to porridge for the remainder of the year[299 ]. Seed - raw or cooked[299 , 301 , 418 ]. Eaten roasted or boiled, they can also be stored for later use[301 ]. They can be ground into flour for cooking with other dishes[299 ]. They are a good substitute for almonds, and have been exported to bakeries in Cape Town for use in confectionery[299 ]. The kernel has a soft consistency like butter[301 ]. The seeds contain about 45% oil[63 ]. The seed is up to 15mm long[200 ]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[301 ].

Medicinal Uses

The bitter roots have medicinal value. Either chewed or made into a decoction, they are used to treat nausea, stomach-ache, venereal diseases, kidney problems, arteriosclerosis and chest pains[299 ]. The fresh fruit is said to relieve stomach pains[418 ]. The crushed root mixed with fat is used to heal wounds[299 ]. Oil from the raw or boiled seeds is used as a skin moisturizer and to protect the skin from sunburn[299 , 418 ].

Known Hazards

None known