Читать книгу Harlan's Crops and Man - H. Thomas Stalker - Страница 17

Most gatherers had periodic access to animal fats, but sources of vegetable oil were also sought. In the wetter tropics, the fruits of various palms (Palmaceae) were especially attractive. The African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is still exploited in the wild as is its counterpart in South America [E. guineensis Jacq. (syn. E. melanococca Gaertn.)]. Other palms also supply oil in quantity including, of course, the coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). Seeds of Compositae, Cruciferae, and Cucurbitaceae are harvested on every continent, partly for their oil content. Many nuts and some fruits are high in oil and are still harvested in the wild. Some familiar ones are Aleurites (Candlenut or tung‐oil tree), Persea (avocado), Theobroma (cacao), Pistacea (pistachio), Olea (olive), and Butyrospermum (shea butter tree or karité). Several species of Sesamum and Linum are harvested for their oily seeds.