Introduction:
Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gardner ex Thwaites var. africana (K.Schum.) Pichon, commonly known as African Hunteria or West African cherry, is a medium-sized evergreen tree with great importance in African traditional medicine.
Origin:
Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gardner ex Thwaites var. africana (K.Schum.) Pichon is native to tropical Africa and is found in countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone. It grows in lowland and evergreen rainforests.
General Appearance:
The African Hunteria tree grows up to 30 meters tall with a dense crown. Its bark is brownish-grey and smooth with corky patches. The leaves are dark green, glossy, and oblong-shaped, measuring up to 14 cm long and 5 cm wide. The flowers are yellowish-white and bell-shaped, measuring up to 1 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. The fruit is an orange or reddish-brown drupe that measures up to 2.5 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter.
Common Names:
The African Hunteria tree has several common names such as West African cherry, Gbongbo (Nigeria), Ewa, Bobo, and N'gore (Côte d'Ivoire).
Uses:
The African Hunteria tree has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The bark, leaves, and seeds of the tree are used for various ailments such as malaria, diarrhea, fever, and cough. The bark of the tree is also used for its astringent properties to treat dysentery and other intestinal infections. Additionally, the wood of the tree is used for building and carpentry work.
Growth Conditions for Hunteria zeylanica var. africana
Light:
Hunteria zeylanica var. africana requires partial shade to full sunlight for optimal growth. It can tolerate some shade, especially during hot afternoons. However, prolonged shade or low light conditions may negatively affect its growth and flowering.Temperature:
Hunteria zeylanica var. africana is a tropical plant that prefers warm to hot temperatures. It can grow in a wide range of temperatures, from 25°C to 35°C. However, it is sensitive to frost and cold temperatures below 10°C.Soil:
Hunteria zeylanica var. africana thrives in moist, well-draining soils. It prefers neutral to slightly acidic soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. It can grow in various soil types, including loamy, sandy, and clay soils, as long as they are rich in organic matter and well-draining.Water:
Hunteria zeylanica var. africana requires consistent moisture to promote good growth and health. It can withstand brief periods of drought, but prolonged dry spells may cause leaf drop and stunted growth. Overwatering should be avoided as it may lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.Fertilizer:
Hunteria zeylanica var. africana can benefit from regular fertilization to support growth and flowering. A balanced fertilizer with a 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 NPK ratio can be applied every 6-8 weeks during the growing season. Over-fertilization should be avoided as it can cause salt buildup and lead to nutrient toxicity.Propagation:
Hunteria zeylanica var. africana can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in well-draining soil and kept moist until germination. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, mature plants and planted in well-draining soil. They should be kept in a warm, bright location with consistent moisture until they establish roots.Cultivation Methods
Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gardner ex Thwaites var. africana (K.Schum.) Pichon is a tropical plant that thrives in warm and humid conditions. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. The plant requires regular watering, but care should be taken to avoid waterlogging. It can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or grafting.
Watering Needs
Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gardner ex Thwaites var. africana (K.Schum.) Pichon requires regular watering, especially during the dry season. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can cause root rot and other diseases. Care should be taken to avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilization
The plant requires regular fertilization to thrive. A balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer, can be applied once every two weeks during the growing season. The plant may also benefit from occasional applications of organic fertilizers such as compost or manure.
Pruning
Pruning should be done to remove dead or diseased branches and to shape the plant. Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gardner ex Thwaites var. africana (K.Schum.) Pichon can be pruned at any time of the year, but it is recommended to prune it during the dry season. Care should be taken to use sterile cutting tools to prevent the spread of diseases.
Propagation of Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gardner ex Thwaites var. africana (K.Schum.) Pichon
Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gardner ex Thwaites var. africana (K.Schum.) Pichon, also known as African hunteria or opepe, can be propagated through both sexual and asexual methods.
Sexual propagation
The plant can be propagated through seeds, which should be sown immediately after collection as they lose viability quickly. The seeds should be planted in a well-draining soil mixture and kept moist until germination. The germination process can take up to three months, and the seedlings should be carefully transplanted to individual pots once they are large enough to handle.
Asexual propagation
African hunteria can also be propagated through vegetative cuttings. Softwood cuttings taken from the current season's growth have the highest success rate. The cuttings should be approximately 10cm long and taken from healthy, disease-free plants. The bottom of the cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a well-draining soil mixture. The cuttings should be kept moist and warm until roots form, which can take up to two months. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted to individual pots.
Disease Management
Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gardner ex Thwaites var. africana (K.Schum.) Pichon is susceptible to various diseases. The common diseases that may affect this plant include leaf spot, powdery mildew, fruit rot, canker, and root rot.
To manage leaf spot, remove the affected leaves and destroy them. Avoid overhead watering to prevent the spread of the disease. For powdery mildew, maintain proper airflow and reduce humidity levels around the plant. Similarly, prune and destroy any infected plant parts for canker disease management. For fruit rot, practice good sanitation by removing and destroying any infected fruits.
Prevention is always better than the cure. Follow good cultural practices and maintain proper plant hygiene to reduce the incidence of these diseases. Use of disease-resistant cultivars and fungicides can also help in disease management.
Pest Management
Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gardner ex Thwaites var. africana (K.Schum.) Pichon is prone to various pests such as termites, mealybugs, scales, and mites.
To manage termites, prevent entry into the plantation by digging trenches, using termite barriers, or treating the plants with termiticides. For mealybugs and scales, control ants that may transfer them from one plant to another and manually remove the pests from the affected plant parts. For mites, avoid overhead watering and maintain proper plant hygiene to reduce their population.
Good cultural practices such as maintaining the correct planting distances, proper pruning, and managing excessive weed growth will help deter pests from the plantation. Use of insecticides and biological control agents can also help in pest management. However, it is essential to follow the specific instructions on the use of these products to prevent any harm to non-target organisms and the environment.
