It prefers rain-forest hedge in half-shady places; low bush; secondary forest; plantations at elevations from 250–1,400 m (820–4,590 ft).

Its presence in Sierra Leone is due to returning slaves for it is known to the Krio by its Yoruba (Nigerian) name.

Other Plukenetia species are indigenous to other parts of Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and America.

[citation needed] Plukenetia conophora belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae in the order Malpighiales of angiosperms in the plant kingdom.

However, Euphorbiaceae also has many species in nontropical areas such as the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, South Africa and southern USA.

Plukenetia conophora is widely cultivated for its nuts, which are cooked and consumed as snacks and often served with corn or rice.

In West Africa, especially in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, as well as in Central African countries such as Cameroon, the seeds provide income to the rural people thereby improving their economy.

The oil is edible, although it not suitable for frying or soap manufacture, due to its quick drying property.

[12] In Gabon, consumption of the seeds by husbands of pregnant women is believed to mitigate the risk of miscarriage.