African Pear
Dacryodes edulis
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The African Pear, scientifically known as Dacryodes edulis and also called Safou, Bush Pear, or Ube, is a fruit tree native to tropical Africa. It belongs to the Burseraceae family, which includes frankincense and myrrh. This evergreen tree is highly valued for its nutritious fruit, which is a staple food in many parts of West and Central Africa. The fruit is typically consumed cooked and has a buttery texture and a slightly acidic, aromatic flavor.
Dacryodes edulis is indigenous to the humid tropical forests of Africa. Its natural range extends from Angola in the south, through the Congo Basin, and northwards to Nigeria and Sierra Leone. It has been cultivated by local populations for centuries and is now a common component of traditional agroforestry systems, often planted in home gardens and alongside crops like cocoa and coffee.
The African Pear is a medium to large evergreen tree, typically reaching 10 to 25 meters in height, though some specimens can grow up to 40 meters in the forest. The trunk is straight and cylindrical, with a dense, compact crown. The bark is pale grey and rough, exuding a fragrant resin when cut.
Leaves:
• Compound, imparipinnate leaves with 5 to 8 pairs of leaflets
• Leaflets are oblong-lanceolate, glossy dark green on the upper surface, and paler beneath
• The foliage is dense and aromatic when crushed
Flowers:
• Small, inconspicuous, and yellowish-green, borne in dense terminal panicles
• The tree is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate trees
Fruit:
• An ellipsoidal drupe, typically 4 to 12 cm long and 3 to 6 cm wide
• Skin is smooth, ranging in color from dark blue-violet to greenish-white depending on the cultivar
• Flesh is pale green to yellow-green, with a high-fat content giving it a buttery consistency
• Contains a single, large, stony seed with a woody shell
Leaves:
• Compound, imparipinnate leaves with 5 to 8 pairs of leaflets
• Leaflets are oblong-lanceolate, glossy dark green on the upper surface, and paler beneath
• The foliage is dense and aromatic when crushed
Flowers:
• Small, inconspicuous, and yellowish-green, borne in dense terminal panicles
• The tree is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate trees
Fruit:
• An ellipsoidal drupe, typically 4 to 12 cm long and 3 to 6 cm wide
• Skin is smooth, ranging in color from dark blue-violet to greenish-white depending on the cultivar
• Flesh is pale green to yellow-green, with a high-fat content giving it a buttery consistency
• Contains a single, large, stony seed with a woody shell
The African Pear thrives in a hot, humid tropical climate with a distinct wet season. It is a shade-tolerant species in its early years, naturally regenerating in the understory of secondary forests.
Habitat:
• Prefers lowland humid forests and forest margins
• Commonly found in fallow fields and traditional agroforestry systems
Climate & Soil:
• Optimal annual rainfall: 1,200 to 3,000 mm
• Optimal temperature: 22 to 28°C
• Grows best on well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soils (pH 5.0 to 6.5)
• Tolerates a range of soil types but is sensitive to waterlogging
Pollination:
• Primarily insect-pollinated, with bees being the main visitors
• Dioecious nature requires the planting of both male and female trees for fruit production
Habitat:
• Prefers lowland humid forests and forest margins
• Commonly found in fallow fields and traditional agroforestry systems
Climate & Soil:
• Optimal annual rainfall: 1,200 to 3,000 mm
• Optimal temperature: 22 to 28°C
• Grows best on well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soils (pH 5.0 to 6.5)
• Tolerates a range of soil types but is sensitive to waterlogging
Pollination:
• Primarily insect-pollinated, with bees being the main visitors
• Dioecious nature requires the planting of both male and female trees for fruit production
The fruit of Dacryodes edulis is exceptionally rich in lipids and essential nutrients, making it a significant source of energy and micronutrients in local diets.
Macronutrients (per 100g of fresh pulp):
• Water: 50-60%
• Lipids: 20-50% (varies significantly by cultivar and stage of ripeness)
• Protein: 3-7%
• Carbohydrates: 10-20%
• Fiber: 4-8%
Fatty Acid Profile:
• The oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, predominantly oleic acid and linoleic acid, with a significant proportion of palmitic acid
Micronutrients:
• High in potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus
• Contains notable amounts of vitamin C and provitamin A carotenoids
• The amino acid profile is rich in essential amino acids, particularly lysine and leucine
Macronutrients (per 100g of fresh pulp):
• Water: 50-60%
• Lipids: 20-50% (varies significantly by cultivar and stage of ripeness)
• Protein: 3-7%
• Carbohydrates: 10-20%
• Fiber: 4-8%
Fatty Acid Profile:
• The oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, predominantly oleic acid and linoleic acid, with a significant proportion of palmitic acid
Micronutrients:
• High in potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus
• Contains notable amounts of vitamin C and provitamin A carotenoids
• The amino acid profile is rich in essential amino acids, particularly lysine and leucine
The African Pear is widely cultivated in home gardens and farms across its native range, valued for both its fruit and its shade.
Propagation:
• Traditionally propagated by seed, which germinates readily but does not breed true to type
• Vegetative propagation methods, such as air layering, grafting, and stem cuttings, are increasingly used to multiply superior cultivars and ensure early fruiting
Cultivation:
• Seedlings are raised in nurseries under shade and transplanted to the field at the start of the rainy season
• Spacing of 10 to 12 meters apart is recommended for pure stands
• Regular weeding is essential during the establishment phase
• Pruning is minimal, mainly to shape the tree and remove dead branches
Harvesting:
• Trees grown from seed begin fruiting after 5 to 10 years; vegetatively propagated trees may fruit in 3 to 4 years
• Fruits are harvested by hand-picking or using long poles with hooks
• Fruits do not ripen simultaneously, requiring multiple harvests per season
Propagation:
• Traditionally propagated by seed, which germinates readily but does not breed true to type
• Vegetative propagation methods, such as air layering, grafting, and stem cuttings, are increasingly used to multiply superior cultivars and ensure early fruiting
Cultivation:
• Seedlings are raised in nurseries under shade and transplanted to the field at the start of the rainy season
• Spacing of 10 to 12 meters apart is recommended for pure stands
• Regular weeding is essential during the establishment phase
• Pruning is minimal, mainly to shape the tree and remove dead branches
Harvesting:
• Trees grown from seed begin fruiting after 5 to 10 years; vegetatively propagated trees may fruit in 3 to 4 years
• Fruits are harvested by hand-picking or using long poles with hooks
• Fruits do not ripen simultaneously, requiring multiple harvests per season
The African Pear is a multipurpose tree with significant economic and cultural value.
Culinary Uses:
• The fruit pulp is almost always consumed cooked, either by boiling, roasting in hot ashes, or steaming
• Boiling softens the pulp, which can then be eaten as a vegetable, often accompanying maize, cassava, or plantain
• The extracted oil can be used for cooking
Medicinal Uses:
• Various parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as skin diseases, dysentery, and fever
• The resin from the bark is used as a wound dressing and for treating parasitic skin infections
Other Uses:
• The wood is soft and greyish-white, used for light construction, tool handles, and firewood
• The tree provides excellent shade in agroforestry systems
• The seed kernel contains oil that is used as a fuel for traditional lamps
Culinary Uses:
• The fruit pulp is almost always consumed cooked, either by boiling, roasting in hot ashes, or steaming
• Boiling softens the pulp, which can then be eaten as a vegetable, often accompanying maize, cassava, or plantain
• The extracted oil can be used for cooking
Medicinal Uses:
• Various parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as skin diseases, dysentery, and fever
• The resin from the bark is used as a wound dressing and for treating parasitic skin infections
Other Uses:
• The wood is soft and greyish-white, used for light construction, tool handles, and firewood
• The tree provides excellent shade in agroforestry systems
• The seed kernel contains oil that is used as a fuel for traditional lamps
Fun Fact
The African Pear is often called 'bush butter' because its lipid-rich pulp has a melting point close to human body temperature, giving it a unique, buttery sensation that literally melts in the mouth when cooked. The fruit's distinctive aroma, which intensifies upon cooking, is due to a complex blend of volatile compounds including terpenes and esters, which are also found in its relatives, frankincense and myrrh.
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