Spiny Monkey orange tree, Strychnos spinosa, also known as Green Monkey Orange, is a small to medium-sized, 1-9 meters, prickly, deciduous, fruit bearing tree, indigenous to tropical and subtropical Africa.

Spiny Monkey-orange trees are found growing in well-drained soils including subtropical forests and regions with alluvium sediments deposited by streams but, it is capable of growing on semi-arid and arid lands. The plant has an asymmetrical flattish canopy and many branches.

Strychnos spinosa leaves are dark green and shiny turning to an attractive yellow in autumn. They are used medicinally. Flowers are Greenish-white borne in dense heads at the end of branches.

The Spiny Monkey-orange is little-known fruit tree that has potential to support sustainable land care, farming development, improve nutrition, food security and as become a new commercial crop. The tree also grows a useful wood that can be used for general carpentry and for carving.

Spiny Monkey Orange Fruit

The Spiny Monkey-orange fruit is juicy, sweet-sour, yellow and with many hard, flat brown seeds. Generally, the fruit appear only after good rains. It is large, smooth and hard, green turn yellow when ripe. Inside the fruit the tightly packed flat, hard seeds are enclosed by a fleshy, edible covering.

Seeds from the fruit of Spiny Monkey Orange should not be eaten as they are poisonous. The dried fruit, after the seeds are removed, are often used as sounding-boxes for musical instruments such as the xylophone (marimba).

Spiny Monkey Orange Propagation Methods

Plant propagation is by seed. It will normally grow relatively fast from seed and do well in cultivation. The tree favors a warmer climate (sensitive to severe frost), sandy soils and a full sun place, but can tolerate some shade. It requires only a moderate amount of water and makes an attractive addition to any garden. Strychnos spinosa is a member of the family Loganiaceae the genus Strychnos.

Spiny Monkey Orange, Strychnos spinosa

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