![\"Elephant](\"https:\/\/elephantswithoutborders.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/11\/2010-11-11_0569_1.jpg\" "\\"Elephant")
Elephant herd finding respite under a blooming Mongongo<\/p><\/div>\n
The Bushmen of the Kalahari call it the Mongongo, also known as Manketti or in Latin, Ricinodendron rautaneii.\u00a0 It grows up to 15 meters, a \u201cgolden\u201d straight trunked tree with a road spreading dark, green crown, which provides a respite of cool shade to wildlife. The wood is a lightweight, stong, durable \u201csoft\u201d wood, much like Balsa,\u00a0 which seems to be quite vulnerable to fires. We found this evident, observing where the base of trees had been scarred by grass fires, the trees succumbed and toppled. At this time of year here, Oct-Dec, the tree is covered with small-whitish yellow flowers, which eventually will become an oval plum-like, pleasantly aromatic, sweet fruit. Strangely, this tree does not bare fruit until it is at least 25 years old.\u00a0 However, it is not the fruit, but the Mongongo\u2019s seed that it is valued for. The seeds or correctly, nuts, are high in protein, vitamin E, calcium, other minerals, and is 57% fat. The creamy yellow nut is very good eaten raw, but even more delicious roasted, tasting much like roasted cashews. Indigenous people collect them and are a major component of a balanced diet in some communities. Mongongo oil is excellent and is used as a moisturizer which is good for skin, hair and nails. The nut is covered by a thick, hard, yet porous shell, which is undeniably tough to crack.\u00a0 To access the edible nuts inside, people must \u201cheat treat\u201d them to force them open. But even a better way is to let elephants do the job for them! Yes, elephants love Mongongo nuts and consume them greedily. But ironically elephant\u2019s digestive mechanism does not affect the extremely hard shell and meat inside. Therefore, people follow the elephants to recover the nuts from the elephants\u2019 dung, where they have dropped them. Too, the shells and dung are collected which can also be burned as fuel! Rumor has it that elephants and mongongo trees hold a closer relationship than noted as just an ideal food source for the latter. Rather the seeds of a mongongo cannot germinate until it has spent a week within the digestive tract of an elephant!<\/p>\n
The Monogongo tree is not only beautiful, but a valuable environmental resource to both wildlife and Indigenous people. But the trees are dwindling in numbers, taking their toll as many of the forests and tree species are, and it is becoming rare to know where the tracts of Mongongos flourish. After flying as we have, and having the opportunity to take note of these uncommon places, we can\u2019t help feel even more motivated in doing something to protect these beautiful forests, this needed habitat.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019d like to help EWB, please log on to: http:\/\/www.elephantswithoutborders.org\/donate.php<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"As](\"https:\/\/elephantswithoutborders.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/11\/2010-11-14_0521_2.jpg\" "\\"As")
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