Aburi in Akwapem South District, Austurland, Ghana — West Africa

Vitellaria paradoxa

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, February 19, 2023

1. Vitellaria paradoxa Marker

Inscription.

Vitellaria paradoxa
Common Name: Shea Nut Tree (Twi-nkudua)
Origin: Guinea Savannah of Africa (Trop. Africa)
Family: Sapotaceae

It is called after Mungo Park, who first showed that the Sudanese Toulon (Bambouk) ie. Shea butter, came from it. The fruit-pulp is sweet and commonly eaten unprocessed by both humans and animals. The kernel are rich in oil (45-55% by weight) known as Shea butter, which is extracted after pounding and grinding into paste the roasted kernels. The Shea butter is used extensively as vegetable oil in cooking, soap and candle making and in cosmetics.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Horticulture & Forestry.

Location. 5° 51.24′ N, 0° 10.336′ W. Marker is in Aburi, Eastern Region (Austurland), in Akwapem South District. It can be reached from Route N4, on the left when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of the Aburi Botanical Gardens, near the old headquarters and main car park. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Africa,

Sub-Saharan Africa,

West Africa,

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and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Strangler Ficus Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Founding of the Aburi Botanical Gardens (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Nutmeg (about 120 meters away); Ceiba pentandra (about 120 meters away); Onyame Dua (about 150 meters away); Lady Knutsford (about 180 meters away); Cola nitida (about 180 meters away); Cocoa (about 240 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aburi.

Also see . . .
1. Vitellaria at Wikipedia. The marker attempts to connect the shea butter tree with colonial explorer Mungo Park. This is slightly confusing, but as the Wikipedia article explains, the previous scientific name for the tree was Butyrospermum parkii. It was originally named for Mungo Park, who described it from one of his journeys, but obviously the tree has been known since antiquity by Africans. (Submitted on February 23, 2023.)

2. Mungo Park at Wikipedia. The second voyage on the Niger River and

Vitellaria paradoxa and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, February 19, 2023

2. Vitellaria paradoxa and Marker

Note the colonial-era building in the background at Aburi Botanical Gardens.

ultimate death of explorer Mungo Park is perhaps one of the strangest in the annals of colonial explorers. He and the survivors of his party blasted their way down the river until finally outmaneuvered near Jebba, Nigeria and drowning. (Submitted on February 23, 2023.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.