| Cussonia holstii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Araliaceae |
| Genus: | Cussonia |
| Species: | C. holstii |
| Binomial name | |
| Cussonia holstii Harms ex Engl. | |
Cussonia holstii is a small to medium size tree belonging to the family Araliaceae. The tree is similar in shape to a paw paw tree. [1]
The species can grow up to 20 m tall, the trunk is straight and can reach 1 m in diameter. Its bark is fissured and scaly and commonly dark greyish in color. [1] The species has digitately compound adult leaves clustered at the end of branches, with 3-7 leaflets that are broadly ovate in outline with a crenate margin; the apex is acuminate while the base is cuneate to cordate. [2] Petiole is present and up to 40 cm long. Flowers are in spikes, green to yellow in color, can be up to 30 together at the apex of branches. [2] [1]
The species occurs in East Africa from Somalia southwards to Tanzania. [3]
A decoction of leaf extracts is used in traditional medicine to treat abdominal pain while a bark decoction is used during child birth to clean the uterus and expel the placenta. [2] Leaves are also used as fodder for goats.
Wood is soft and used to make doors and beehives. [4]