Boleko Nut

Ongokea gore, commonly known as Boleko Nut, is a tall tree in the Olacaceae family, native to the tropical forests of West and Central Africa. Its natural range covers Angola, Cabinda, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Zaïre. A medium-growing species reaching about 30 meters, it thrives in full sun or partial shade and adapts to light sandy, medium, and heavy clay soils. It tolerates both dry and moist conditions, though it is not considered drought resistant, and it is hardy in zones 10 through 12. The tree is perhaps best known for its fruit, which is edible and may be eaten raw or dried for later use; the fruit is the sole reported edible part. Beyond food, Boleko Nut has practical utility as a source of lumber and for soap production, giving the species value beyond its edible yield. Its broad tolerance of soil and light conditions helps explain its wide distribution across equatorial Africa. Propagation is typically from seed, and cultivating the tree successfully generally means mimicking the warm, humid conditions of its native habitat. As with any wild edible, readers should identify plants confidently before use; no medicinal uses are documented for this species in the available data.