This month we have another BANGER of a tree. This fascinating species is most probably one of the easiest to be recognized (along with well hung folklores), the enormous elongated fruits are no doubt a conversation starter.
Hold back the mash and gravy folks, these extraordinary fruits are somewhat of a let-down. Almost always left to rot under the tree, these well-endowed sausage shaped fruits are utilized in various ways by us homo sapiens, but eating them is at the bottom of the list as they are somewhat poisonous in the unripe stage to humans. The only edible part are the seeds – and only if after collecting them they are roasted – and even this was only done in times of famine and as a last resort. However, the ripe fruit is often baked and used to aid fermentation in the beer making process, so I guess it does have a level of importance.
The fruit has an array of different medicinal uses, the soft inner mass is applied to the joints to assist in helping with the pain caused by arthritis. I do however doubt that it will reverse that hip replacement the doctor ordered. It is believed to also help with treating sore backs, and the pulp and fruit is used in alternative ways to cure syphilis, skin ulceration, acne, stomach troubles in children, lactation problems for women, and the most infamous of all uses is in the rituals to possibly enlarge one’s own sausage! The powdered fruit is applied to a baby’s body in the belief that it will become fat and healthy – one must be very cautious to avoid the head, as it is believed to cause swelling of the brain. The plethora of uses doesn’t stop with the fruit , the bark is used as a means to treat wounds, epilepsy and tooth ache.
The tree itself is often cut down to build dugout canoes known as mokoros, and many other tools because the wood seldom cracks. The fruit and roots are also used in red and yellow dye that may brighten ones day.
Amazingly a large number of animals do supplement their diets with these ever so large sausage fruits – believe it or not, hippopotami who are grazers and bulk grass feeders, are fond of these monstrous fruits, along with porcupine, giraffe, baboons monkeys and squirrel, whilst the browsers like elephants and kudu, will relish the leaves throughout the year.
In spring time the tree will flourish with a sudden onset of these large red trumpet shaped flowers. Although they are super pretty, they do not smell very nice. This does not put off our common nectar feeding birds, butterflies and insects that take advantage of them. The tree is also believed to be pollinated by bats, who play a critical role, not only in pollination but allowing others to feed on the flowers when they drop on the floor after a night of feasting on them.
The tree have a lovely typical mushroom shaped canopy, which creates a great place of shade for the resting animals and humans. In fact it is often used in certain cultures as an area of religious gatherings. But one must be warned that the next time you see one of these fascinating trees, remember not to park your car, camp or sleepout underneath these trees, and stay clear of the (up to) 12kg fruit that hangs above your head, because at some stage they will drop, and rocket to earth with a thud.
