Galo – Anacolosa frutescens
The galo is found mainly in backyards and forests as volunteer trees. Its potetntial for commercial production is being considered only now.
Description
The galo is an erect shrub or tree that grows up to 25 m tall. The leaves are spade-like or tapering, measuring 7-15 cm long and 4.0-6.5 cm wide with dark green color. The flowers are small, white and numerous. The fruits is oblong or egg-shaped, measuring 1.8-2.0 cm long and 1.5-2.0 cm in diameter. The fruit consists of a light green peel, a thin shell and a large nut.
Uses
The pulp and kernel may be eaten fresh although the fruit is usually boiled to bring out the delicious taste. The kernel can also be roasted. The wood may be used as a house posts.
Soil and Climatic Requirements
Grow galo at low and medium altitude upt to 700 m in shady environments without pronounced dry season.
Cultural Management
The galo can be propagated from seeds but germination takes more than 100 days. Propagation by air layering (or marcotting) which requires about four months until separation is possible but survival of marcots is poor. Cleft grafting is highly successful using one-year-old or older seedlings as rootstocks.
Not much is known about the cultural requirement of galo. There seems to be no serious diseases but exposed roots have been observed to have been damaged by borers.
Harvesting and Postharvest Handling
Harvest fruits when mature green although the right stage to harvest still has to be determined.
The fruits are sold green in local markets. To prolon shelf life, sun-dry for about three days prior to storage.
Source
PROSEA leaflet no. 3
PCARRD
DA
UPLB