African Elemi (Canarium Schweinfurthii)

The African Tree of Life! 🌍

Meet Canarium schweinfurthii, the magnificent African Elemi – revered across Africa for its:
• Fragrant medicinal resin (used in traditional medicine) 💊
• Nutritious purple fruits with edible nuts 🟣
• Precious reddish timber for carving 🌲

Why This Tree Belongs in Your Garden:

✅ Triple-Value – Medicine, food & timber from one tree
✅ Drought-Hardy – Thrives with minimal care once established 💧
✅ Fast Growth – Reaches productive size in 5-7 years 📈
✅ Wildlife Magnet – Attracts birds & pollinators 🦜

Traditional African Uses:

• Elemi resin for wounds & inflammation (natural antiseptic)
• Fruit pulp for jams & beverages 🍯
• Oil-rich nuts eaten raw or roasted 🔥
• Wood for furniture & carvings 🪑

Growing Essentials:

• Climate: Tropical/subtropical (USDA 10-12)
• Size: 20-40m tall in nature (prune to maintain smaller size) ✂️
• Harvest: Fruits ripen purple-black in rainy season ☔

🌴 Perfect For:
• Tropical permaculture projects
• Medicinal plant collectors
• African diaspora gardens
• Reforestation initiatives

⚠️ Note: Milky resin may irritate skin – handle with care

✈️ Ships as: Healthy young seedling with growing guide

Key Highlights:

1. Emphasizes the threefold value (medicine, food, timber)

2. Stresses drought resistance for tough climates

3. Includes traditional knowledge for cultural relevance

4. Notes growth potential for permaculture designs

5. Adds caution about resin while keeping it positive