TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA

Oncoba spinosa, Fried Egg Tree, Snuff-box Tree
Oncoba spinosa

Oncoba spinosa

Fried Egg Tree, Snuff-box Tree
Family: Salicaceae    (Formerly:Flacourtiaceae)
Origin: South Africa, Arabia
USDA Zone: 9-11?
USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftSemi-shadeFull sunModerate waterYellow, orange flowersWhite, off-white flowersThorny or spinyEdible plantPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsEthnomedical plant.
Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles.
Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Fragrant plant

A spiny shrub or small tree. The flowers are white, honey-fragrant and solitary (3" across). The fruits have a sour, edible pulp. Beautiful white and yellow camellia-like flowers look like 'fried eggs' when they drop off and fall on the ground with their yellow stamens facing upwards. Light tip pruning promotes bushy growth. Flowers attract butterflies. Blooms late spring to summer. The hard-shelled fruits are used as snuff boxes. If the fruit are left to dry with the seeds inside they it make amusing rattles for children and are also used as anklets and armlets for dancers to add rhythm when performing. The pulp of the fruit is edible, but is seldom used for that purpose. In African medicine the roots are used in the treatment of dysentery and bladder complaints. It is said that the seeds contain a drying oil that is suitable for varnish, but it is too difficult to extract to be of any commercial significance. The wood is light brown in color and can take a good polish, but the pieces are seldom large enough to be of any commercial value.





Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/oncoba_spinosa.htm

Oncoba spinosa - Fried Egg Tree

Snuff-box tree, Fried egg tree. A spiny shrub or small tree. The fruits have a sour, edible pulp. Beautiful white and yellow camellia-like flowers look like 'fried eggs' when they drop off and fall on the ground with their yellow stamens facing upwards. Flowers are honey-sweet fragrant and attract butterflies and bees.

Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster
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500 ml (16 oz)
$14.95
  $9.95
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This item is certified for shipping to California, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona.
Grown in
10"/3 gal pot, very large plant
3 plants in stock
$39.95