Oncoba spinosa

Common Name : Fried egg tree, Snuff-box tree Botanical Name : Oncoba spinosa Family : Salicaceae

Order - Malpighiales

Genus - Oncoba

Species - spinosa

Origin / Native - South Africa, Arabia

Category - Small deciduous tree, Spiny shrub

Height- 16 feet to 25 feet tall

Growth Rate- Initially Slow

Leaves - Simple, Dark green, Ovate-elliptic, Glossy, Leathery, Coarsely toothed margins

Flowers - Large, showy, honey, sweet fragrant, white with yellow stamens centric, 7.6 cm wide, 10-15 petals, resembles a fried egg

Flowering Month - Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Mar, April, May

Flowering Season - Late Spring to Summer

Fruits - Edible, Sour, Round shaped, 6 cm, yellow pulp

Seeds - Glossy brown

Bark - Spotted / mottled grey, Smooth, Wood is light brown color

Uses - Roots used in African medicine, Hard shelled fruits-snuff boxes, Dry fruits-Rattles, Baby's toy, & also used as anklets and armlets for dancers

Attracts - Bees, Butterflies

Found In - Savannas, Dry woodland, River side

Snuff box tree flower

Fried egg flower with bees, bark, leaves

Oncoba spinosa tree

Photographs: Guna Selvi Camera: Nikon D40x Location : Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Bangalore[Bengaluru],Karnataka, India