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BATS
AND THE WEST AFRICAN LOCUST TREE |
Another life-sustaining
bean-bat tree, and another life-sustaining bat tree described in the mid-1800's
by the stout hearted African explorer, Mungo
Park. Park said the tree resembled a mimosa, with its fern
like leaves. A native name for the tree is "nitta" and it is also
known as the fern-leafed nitta tree.
A number of related species,some
of which grow in Malaysia, also bear Park's name; Parkia africana, P. filicoidea,
P. javanica, P. speciosa and P. biglobosa.
In a 1965 Commercial
Forestry Review article, Osmaston credited the straw-coloured flying fox with
pollination of P. filicoidea's hanging clusters of bright red, nectar-rich flowers.
I am unaware of any scientific evidence that the straw-coloured flying fox or
any bat also disperses Parkia seeds. But why not?
The pulp of the forearm
length seed pods is known to be very sweet and is enjoyed by humans, old and
young. Why not by bats? Bats are known to eat the pod contents of the locust
tree's botanical and geographical relative, the tamarind
tree, Tamarindus indica.
Another family-related tree, the
middle eastern carob
tree, which produces a pod containing a chocolaty pulp,
is enjoyed by humans and Egyptian rousette bats, who disperse the seeds.
Parkia species that grow in Malaysia
(P. speciosa, P. javanica, P. singularis) are pollinated by the dawn bat and
are considered by Start and Marshall to be bat dependent. The Malaysian Parkia
species are not used by humans to the same extent as the African species but
they are sources of medicine, net tougheners, dye and soap. The wood is used
for light construction.
A review follows of
the West African locust tree's contributions to the well-being of humans and
the planet:
- In contrast to the sweetness of
the pod pulp, dawadawa, a paste made from the seeds is savoury, smelly, high
in calories, protein and other nutrients. It is used as a seasoning or in
soups, keeps well, and is a life-sustaining food all year around. A dilemma
is created by dawadawa preparation; the seeds must be cooked for up to 24
hours, which consumes precious firewood.
- The West African locust tree provides
good firewood, so essential in rural African life. The other values of the
tree, its personal ownership and protective laws prevent its wholesale destruction
for cooking fires.
- Livestock shelters in the shade
of the tree's spreading crown. Their feces and urine join the nutrients of
the fallen leaves to create rich soil. Fallen leaves are also collected for
garden manure.
- The twigs of the tree are a natural
toothbrush, as are twigs from other bat trees. Twig saponin cleans teeth and
another twig component dyes the mouth red.
- Native bark products are remedies
for toothache and ear complaints.
- Domestic animals relish whole pods,
leaves and ground-up seeds.
- The West African locust tree provides
protection against strong winds.
- The West African locust tree provides
shelter and shade for human beings. Like other bat trees with spreading crowns
it becomes a village palaver tree, a place to meet and exchange news, tell
stories.
- Because of the many gifts the West
African locust tree bestows on humans, animals and its surroundings, the tree
is invested with spiritual qualities. Some African Muslims believe that the
West African locust tree was brought to Africa by Mohammed.
References:
Fujita, M.S. 1991. Flying Fox (Chiroptera:Pteropodidae) Pollination,
Seed Dispersal, and Economic Importance: A Tabular Summary of Current Knowledge,
Resource Publication No. 2, Bat Conservation International
Gould, Edwin (1978) Foraging behavior of Malaysian nectar-feeding
bats. Biotropica. 10(3):184-193
Hedrick, U.P.,Editor,1972, Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World,
Dover Publications, New York (Originally published in 1919.)
National Research Council (2006) Lost Crops of Africa, Volume
II, Vegetables;http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309103339&page=206
Click on "Locust Bean"
Osmaston, H.A. 1965. Pollen and seed dispersal in Chlorophora
excelsa and other Moraceae, and in Parkia filicoidea with special reference
to the role of the fruit bat, Eidolon helvum. Comm. Forestry Rev. 44:96-103
Start, A.N. and A.G. Marshall. 1976. Nectarivorous bats as pollinators
of trees in West Malaysia. Pp. 151-150 (In) Tropical Trees, (J. Burley and B.T.
Styles, eds.). Linn. Soc. Symp. Series 2
Usher, George, A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man, Constable and
Company Ltd, 1974
The Plant
Family: Leguminosae
Genus: Parkia
Species: Parkia filicoidea, P. javanica, P. speciosa, P. africana, P.
biglobosa
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The Bats
Straw-coloured flying fox (Eidolon helvum)
Dawn bat (Eonycteris spelaea)
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Written by ML Alley-Crosby who thanks Merlin Tuttle, Founder and
President Emeritus, Bat Conservation International, for permission to use his
photograph of a straw-coloured flying fox as a guide to drawing the illustration
above, and to Lubee Bat Conservancy for permission to use David Liebman's photograph
of a straw-coloured flying fox.
This is a non-profit, educational website.
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