ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information on the uses, folk medicine, chemistry, germplasm, distribution, ecology, cultivation, harvesting, yields, energy, and biotic factors of Manila Nut. Tree is important for shade and shelter as well as food to a variety of animals. Fruits edible, yet said to serve as an insecticide. Kernels of stones have a delicious nut-like flavor, and are eaten raw, or dried and ground and added to soups or stews. Common in the wild, manilas have grown very slowly under experimental conditions, but grow quickly in natural conditions. Seeds germinate readily; the hard stones should be sown intact. Trees are said to bear fruit more copiously than related species. Fruits are collected from the ground or by climbing the trees. Fungi known to attack manila are Cercospora caffra and Gloeosporium sclerocaryae Trees are host of a small beetle of which the highly poisonous grubs are used by Bushmen as an ingredient for arrow poisons.
