Afraegle paniculata aka Nigerian Powder Flask Fruit

Afraegle paniculata is an evergreen tree in the rue family, Rutaceae. Its common names include Nigerian powder-flask fruit and African afraegle. It comes from western and west-central tropical Africa. Records include Senegal, Guinea, Liberia, Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Nigeria. It grows in lowland thickets and along dense forest edges. Other habitats include savannah, gallery forest, and coastal plains. It occurs less often in dry forest.

Garden references give a height of about 39 feet [12 metres]. They list a spread of about 33 feet [10 metres]. Another account gives a maximum height of 49 feet [15 metres]. The plant can also take a shrub form. Its short trunk branches near the ground. Many branches form a rounded crown with sharp, straight spines. These spines are a practical concern when placing the tree. The foliage stays green throughout the year.

The fruit is round or shaped like a broad, inverted egg. Its wrinkled skin lacks scent glands. Mature fruit measures about 0.20–0.26 feet [0.06–0.08 metres] across. That makes it roughly the size of a large orange. The food records do not establish that the fruit is edible. People sometimes cook and eat the leaves, though this use is rare. Reports also describe an edible oil from the seeds. The references list no known hazards. That does not establish the safety of every plant part.

This fast-growing tree needs sun and soil that drains well. PFAF lists sandy and loamy soils as suitable. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline conditions. Soil may be dry or moist. The species belongs to a wet tropical climate. PFAF gives USDA zones 10–12 and UK zone 10. A well-fed specimen near Miami spread widely while still young and low. It later grew taller but kept its long branches. That record came from porous limestone mixed with sand or sandy loam.

People gather this tree from the wild for food, medicine, and wood. They also plant it for medicinal use in parts of West Africa. The evidence describes several medicinal uses but gives no treatments or doses. People crush the leaves and add them to bath water. They use the wood for household and personal items. Trials have also explored this species as a rootstock for bael fruit. Seed is a recorded means of propagation. Its broad crown and evergreen habit define its garden form.