Berlinia grandiflora

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Berlinia grandiflora
Berlinia grandiflora MS 1243.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Berlinia
Species:
B. grandiflora
Binomial name
Berlinia grandiflora
(Vahl) Hutch. & Dalziel

Berlinia grandiflora is a small to medium sized tree found in the West and West Central African region along riparian habitats or gallery forests habitat types. [1]

Contents

Description

Berlinia grandiflora is a small to medium sized tree that ranges from 2–20 m tall but can grow up to 30 m. [2] Leaves are paripinnately compound arranged in 3–4 pairs of leaflets per pinnae, the petiole is 20-42 mm long and petiolules is 5–9 mm long; terminal leaflets are 7–22 cm long and 3.0–11.5 cm wide, the abaxial surface is glabrous to sparsely pubescent, leaf-blade is oblong to obovate in outline. [2] Inflorescence is a branched panicle, it has scented green or white colored flowers, commonly with a single petal that is white and 3.5–6.5 cm long, the bracteoles tend to be between 23–32 mm long and 11–20 mm wide; has up to 10 stamens. [3] Fruit is a flattened brown pod. [1]

Distribution

The species is found in Guinea eastwards to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [2]

Uses

Bark extracts are used as part of a purgative regimen in some communities of the Democratic republic of the Congo and leaves are part of a decoction to treat intestinal ailments. Wood is used in carpentry work. [4]

References

  1. 1 2 Arbonnier, Michel (2004). Trees, shrubs, and lianas of West African dry zones. Paris: CIRAD. p. 211. ISBN   2-87614-579-0. OCLC   56937881.
  2. 1 2 3 Mackinder, B. A.; Harris, D. J. (2006). "A SYNOPSIS OF THE GENUS BERLINIA (LEGUMINOSAE – CAESALPINIOIDEAE)". Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 63 (2–3): 161–182. doi: 10.1017/S0960428606000631 . ISSN   0960-4286.
  3. Timbers 2. R.H.M.J. Lemmens, D. Louppe. Wageningen: PROTA Foundation. 2012. p. 110. ISBN   978-92-9081-495-5. OCLC   808216267.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. "Berlinia grandiflora – Useful Tropical Plants". tropical.theferns.info. Retrieved 2021-10-01.