Collection: Afrostyrax

Afrostyrax is a very small genus in the equally small Huaceae family, with only three plant species, all of which are found only in Africa:

• the Afrostyrax kamerunensis
• the Afrostyrax lepidophyllus and
• the Afrostyrax macranthus

What they all have in common is that all parts of these plants have a pungent onion or garlic odor. For this reason, both the bark and the fruit of the Afrostyrax lepidophyllus are used in cooking, especially in Ghana, Cameroon, and Congo, where the tree grows naturally.

Common names include country onion or bush onion, but in the many languages ​​of this part of Africa you will find just as many other names, including hiomi, which is mainly used to refer to the bark, and ngô.

The popularity of the ngô hiomi encourages market mechanisms that can threaten the natural habitat. Because yields fluctuate significantly (as does the price), there's a tendency to harvest the nuts too intensively, especially during times of scarcity.

This is receiving a lot of attention. The garlic nut harvest is considered sustainable in various studies and is being closely monitored due to the vulnerable status of Afrostyrax lepidophyllus on the International Red List of Threatened Plant Species.

Furthermore, incentives are being given to replant the trees, including under the auspices of the Environment and Rural Development Foundation ERuDeF. The replanting has been very successful, including near Mount Cameroon National Park, where many farming communities depend on the garlic harvest.