Hortiforum

General Info – African Nutmeg, Calabash Nutmeg, Jamaican Nutmeg, Ehuru

Native to the tropical regions of Africa, African Nutmeg offers an excellent alternative to the more well-known but demanding Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). The aromatic seeds of African Nutmeg are commonly used in West African cuisine, where they provide a similar flavour profile to Nutmeg. Like Nutmeg, African Nutmeg can be ground into a powder and used in both savoury and sweet dishes. While the common Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is native to the Maluku Islands of Eastern Indonesia, African Nutmeg belongs to the Myristica genus, which also includes the common Nutmeg. However, African Nutmeg is technically a member of the Annonaceae (or Annona) family, which also includes plants like Cherimoya, Rollinia, and Soursop. Like other Annonaceae species, the pulp of African Nutmeg has a fragrant, sweet scent, but it is rarely consumed, and its edibility is considered negligible compared to the highly valued seeds. The seeds themselves are a rich source of Magnesium, Calcium, and Potassium.
African nutmeg is native to a wide region of tropical Africa, ranging from Guinea in West Africa to Kenya in East Africa. This species thrives primarily in tropical savanna ecosystems, characterised by distinct wet and dry seasons. Like many plants in tropical savannas, African nutmeg is deciduous during the dry season, an adaptation to cope with the lack of water. While it can grow in poor, rocky, or sandy soils, it prefers deep loamy soil for optimal growth. The plant can tolerate both full and partial shade. As a tropical native, African nutmeg does not tolerate frost or cold temperatures. However, due to its origin in high-altitude regions (above 1,000 metres) in tropical climates, it can withstand cooler subtropical conditions.
The African Mutmeg forms a medium to large tree, typically reaching heights of up to 35 metres, though it often stays closer to 10-15 metres. It has a lush, dense crown when in leaf and is highly ornamental both for its foliage and its flowers. The tree produces beautiful, orchid-like flowers with intricately detailed red and yellow sepals. These flowers have a noticeable fragrance and may require hand-pollination in Australia, where the native pollinators are absent. The tree’s striking foliage is among the most attractive of the Annona species, with large, drooping, oblong leaves. New growth is particularly eye-catching, with a purplish tinge on the upper surface and a shiny green underside, creating a dramatic contrast.

Plant Profile/Properties