(L.) Skeels
Sapotaceae
Argania sideroxylon Roem. & Schult.
Sideroxylon argan (Retz.) Baill.
Sideroxylon spinosum L.
Verlangia argan (Retz.) Neck. ex Raf.
Widespread Title:
{Photograph} by: Not identified
Inventive Commons Attribution 2.5
Normal Info
Argania spinosa is a spiny, evergreen often rising 4 – 10 metres tall however exceptionally reaching 21 metres. The bole will be 100cm in diameter[
]. The knotty trunk can typically have a number of criss-crossed stems[
].
The tree is an important native supply of a top quality edible oil. The tree is typically cultivated as an oil crop and this cultivation is spreading to areas exterior its native vary[
,
].
Recognized Hazards
None identified
Botanical References
Vary
Northwest Africa – Algeria, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania.
Habitat
Slopes of tough hills, seeming to thrive between the rocks on poor soil, at elevations as much as 1,500 metres[
].
Properties
Cultivation Particulars
A plant of very arid areas, primarily within the subtropical areas of northwest Africa, however simply getting into the tropics in Mauritania, the place it’s discovered at elevations as much as 1,500 metre[
]. It grows finest in areas the place annual daytime temperatures are inside the vary 20 – 30°c, however can tolerate 10 – 35°c[
]. Mature vegetation will be killed by temperatures of -2°c or decrease, however new progress is severely broken at 0°c[
]. It prefers a imply annual rainfall within the vary 200 – 300mm, however tolerates 100 – 400mm[
].
Requires a sunny place[
]. Succeeds in a variety of soils, together with very poor, dry soils[
]. The tree is nicely suited to calcareous soils, sandy deposits and comparatively poor semi desert soils circumstances however not drifting sands or water-logged soils[
]. Prefers a pH within the vary 6.5 – 7.5, tolerating 6 – 8[
]. Established vegetation are very drought tolerant – they’ll shed their foliage and stay in a state of dormancy for a number of years throughout extended droughts[
].
Timber might begin to bear when 5 – 6 years previous from seed, and attain most manufacturing on the age of 60 years[
].
Common fruit yield could also be about Eight kg per tree[
].
An extended-lived species, with bushes residing for 200 – 400 years[
].
Timber reply very nicely to coppicing[
].
Edible Makes use of
An edible oil is obtained from the seed[
]. The white seeds comprise as much as 50% of a lightweight brown oil[
]. This oil is a superb supply of vitamin E, and has a excessive dietary worth within the human food regimen. The locals combine oil with almonds and honey to make an almond butter; it additionally blended with wheat germ and honey to make gruel[
].
The residue from the kernels, after oil extraction, is a thick chocolate-coloured paste known as ‘amlou’ which is sweetened and served as a dip for bread at breakfast time in Berber households. Its flavour is just like that of peanut butter[
].
Medicinal
The oil from the seeds is wealthy in vitamin E and has properties which decrease blood-cholesterol ranges, stimulate circulation of the blood, facilitate digestion and strengthen the physique’s pure defences. It’s used as a remedy for rooster pox, to deal with juvenile pimples and assist take away stretch marks on pregnant girl[
].
Agroforestry Makes use of:
Argania spinosa shields skinny soils from erosion, particularly in overgrazed lands. Its deep roots assist to bind the soil, facilitate water infiltration and replenish floor water, thus serving to to stabilise environmental circumstances[
,
].
The tree supplies useful shade for people and livestock as nicely defending pasture grasses from the acute evapotranspiration that may consequence from direct publicity to daylight[
].
Argan woodlands kind a inexperienced belt that features as a buffer in opposition to desert development in southern Morocco[
].
The plant is used for fencing and windbreaks
Different Makes use of
An oil obtained from the seed is used for lighting and to make cleaning soap[
].
The wooden may be very onerous, heavy and sturdy. It is rather resistant to wreck from wood-eating organisms[
]. It’s utilized in carpentry, for making agricultural implements and constructing poles[
].
The wooden is a goof gasoline and makes an excellent charcoal[
,
]. The seed shells are additionally burnt as a gasoline[
].
Propagation
Seed –
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