Irvingia gabonensis

Why are the seeds of this species difficult? The seeds may have physiological dormancy, which can be overcome by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat.

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Seed Storage

This species has Orthodox seeds - dry to 15-20% eRH and store at -20ºC, or as cool as possible.

Germination Requirements

Extract the seeds from the fruits and dry them for two days before sowing.

The seeds of this species may be Physiologically Dormant (inferred from available information on germination and of characteristics of seeds in this family). If germination is low, overcome dormancy by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat. Use a moist pre-chill or pre-heat treatment (depending on local climatic conditions) or a dry after-ripening treatment, before germinating the seeds on agar, germination paper or sand at their optimum temperature. If this does not work, you can perform delicate surgery to enable the embryo to grow. Excise the tissue near the root tip.

Seed Morphology

The fruit (5-7.5 cm) is green, turning to yellow when mature. The large seed is enclosed in a yellow, fibrous pulp.

Taxonomy

Family: IRVINGIACEAE

Accepted name: Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill.

Synonyms: various

Common name:

References and Links

Baskin, C.C. and Baskin J.M. (1998). Seeds: ecology, biogeography, and evolution of dormancy and germination. Academic Press, USA.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (1994). Genebank Standards. FAO/IPGRI, Rome, Italy.
Janick, J. and Paull, R.E. (eds) (2008). The Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts. CAB International, UK.

AFPD (African Flowering Plants Database) - Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève, Switzerland, and South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, RSA: Irvingia gabonensis.
PROTAbase (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) - Wageningen, Netherlands: Irvingia gabonensis.
SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: Irvingia gabonensis.
Tropicos - Missouri Botanical Garden, USA: Irvingia gabonensis.