Hello!
ps: Thanks Luc for the invitation.
Based on detailed field observations, 3 varieties are distinguished within the subspecies: Treculia africana var. africana (Extending from Senegal to Southern Sudan and south to Angola, central Mozambique and Principe and Sao Tomé islands), Treculia africana var. inversa (Anambra State and Bendel State, more abundant in the eastern states of Nigeria) and Treculia africana var. mollis (Isolated localities in Bendel State of Nigeria, Cameroun, DR.Congo, Gabon and Cabinda).
Their taxonomic differences are based mainly on the size of the fruit head (infructence) and the hairiness of branchlets and leaves. There is a striking variation in the number of fruit heads produced by trees belonging to Treculia african var. africana (with large fruit heads) and Treculia african var. inversa (with small fruit heads). The former is clearly superior in the weight of seeds produced while the latter produces more fruit and also produces twice as many branches.
Key to the varieties of Treculia Africana
1. Branchlets, petioles and undersurface of leaves soon glabrous, shining and glossy; leaves ovate-epilliptic:
• Fruit head large, over 20 cm in diam.(Very large, being usually over 60 cm in longitudinal cicumference), often smooth; seeds also large, rounded, sometimes elongated, about 1.3 cm long; mesocarp over 5 cm thick; slash pinkish (var. africana)
• Fruit heads small, usually less than 20 cm in diam., often knobbly or wrinkled; seeds small, elongated, sometimes more or less rounded, about 1 cm long or less; mesocarp less than 5 cm thick; slash brownish (var. inversa)
2. Branchlets, petioles and undersurface of leaves with persistent spreading hairs, dull, not glossy; leaves oblong-elliptic;
•Fruit heads small, usually less than 20 cm in diam., often knobbly or wrinkled; seeds, small, rounded to elongated, about 1 cm long; mesocarp less than 5 cm thick; slash pinkish (var. mollis)
Based on the photo above , i immediately recognise the var. mollis. We from Nutrecul we have over 10 varieties, but we are using for 90% of our reforestation projects the variety "Treculia africana decne var.africana cultivar. Nutreculia or gigantica". All extreme fruits above 15kg-25kg Greetings,
Jean (John)
Ceo Nutrecul
https://www.facebook.com/NutreculAgroforestry?ref=hlhttp://www.nutrecul-agroforestry.com/Nutrecul Agroforestry - Treculia Research Centre