Albizia zygia

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Albizia zygia
Albizia zygia-NMNH-12889907.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Albizia
Species:
A. zygia
Binomial name
Albizia zygia
J.F.Macbr.
Synonyms [1]
  • Acacia zygia (DC.) Baill.
  • Feuilleea zygia (DC.) Kuntze
  • Inga zygia DC.
  • Albizia brownei (Walp.) Oliv.
  • Albizia letestui Pellegr.
  • Albizia welwitschioides Schweinf. ex Baker f.
  • Zygia brownei Walp.

Albizia zygia is a fast growing medium-sized tree species within the Fabaceae family that is commonly found in West and Central Africa. [2]

Contents

Description

The species grows up to 30 meters tall. Its branches are ascending and wide spreading forming an open crown, the bark is greyish and fairly smooth. Leaves are pinnately compound, leaflets are obovate in shape, with the terminal pairs usually the largest. [2] Flowers are often white to reddish and its fruits are papery and brownish black pods, up to 20 cm long and 3.5 cm wide, seeds are usually produced when plant reaches maturity, and are darkish brown. [2]

Distribution and habitat

The species is commonly found largely in secondary high forest and semi-deciduous forest zones but it also occurs in primary forest and savannahs of West and Central Africa. [2]

Uses

The plant is used as a shade tree by Cocoa farmers. [3] Leaves are boiled, dried and used to prepare vegetable soup. [2]

In Ghana its leaves are used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects. [4]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Gnetum africanum</i> Species of seed-bearing plant

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<i>Curculigo capitulata</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Solanum erianthum</i> Species of plant

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<i>Trema orientale</i> Species of tree

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<i>Margaritaria discoidea</i> Species of tree

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<i>Terminalia arjuna</i> Species of tree

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<i>Dolichandra unguis-cati</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Maesopsis</i> Genus of trees

Maesopsis eminii, the umbrella tree, is a species of tree in the family Rhamnaceae found in India and Africa. It is the only species in the genus Maesopsis. It is often grown as a plantation tree, and as a shade tree in coffee plantations and other crops. Birds and monkeys may disperse the seeds. Since this tree grows fast it is often used for regeneration of destroyed forest lands. Its timber is used for construction and firewood and its leaves for animal fodder.

<i>Securidaca longipedunculata</i> Species of tree

Securidaca longipedunculata is a species of tree in the genus Securidaca. It is most commonly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, and it was given protected status in South Africa. The generic name is derived from Latin securis, as the shape of the wing on the nut recalls a hatchet. The specific name longipedunculata hints at the long peduncle on which the flowers are borne.

Vitex thyrsiflora is a species of woody vine in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to tropical West and Central Africa. Its hollow stem is used as a home by an aggressive species of ant.

Osodendron altissimum, formerly known as Albizia altissima, is a low branching tree within the Fabaceae family, it grows along river banks in the Lower and Upper Guinean and Congolian forests of west and central Africa.

Albizia glaberrima is a deciduous tree found in Tropical Africa, it belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is traded under the name 'white nongo' and it is well distributed in West, Central, East and parts of Southern Africa.

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References

  1. "Albizia zygia". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Dunn, Justine (1996). The role of indigenous woody species in "farmer-led" agricultural change in south east Nigeria, West Africa (phd). doi:10.25501/SOAS.00029533.
  3. ANIM-KWAPONG, G. J.; TEKLEHAIMANOT, Z. (2001-01-01). "Albizia Zygia (dc) Macbride, a Shade Tree for Cocoa. the Effects of Duration of Acid Scarification and Substrate Acidity on the Germination of Seeds". Forests, Trees and Livelihoods. 11 (1): 47–55. Bibcode:2001ForTL..11...47A. doi:10.1080/14728028.2001.9752370. ISSN   1472-8028. S2CID   83646000.
  4. Anotsi; Lamptey; Afrane; Boakye-Gyasi; Umoh; Woode (2016). "An evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects of hydroethanol leaf extract of Albizia zygia in animal models". Pharmaceutical Biology. 55 (1): 338–348. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1262434. PMC   6130645 . PMID   27927089.