Akee
Blighia sapida
- Native to:
- Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
Jerome Walker
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Genus:
- Blighia
- Species:
- Blighia sapida
- USDA Symbol:
- BLSA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar
- Bloom Colors:
- white, greenish-white
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to tropical West Africa; prefers fertile soils
Propagation & Germination
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are recalcitrant and should be sown fresh; germination occurs in 2-4 weeks in warm, moist conditions.