Biology:Berlinia grandiflora

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Short description: Species of plant

Berlinia grandiflora
Berlinia grandiflora MS 1243.jpg
Scientific classification edit
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]

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. 1.0 1.1 Arbonnier, Michel (2004). Trees, shrubs, and lianas of West African dry zones. Paris: CIRAD. pp. 211. ISBN 2-87614-579-0. OCLC 56937881. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/56937881. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mackinder, B. A.; Harris, D. J. (2006). "A SYNOPSIS OF THE GENUS BERLINIA (LEGUMINOSAE – CAESALPINIOIDEAE)" (in en). 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. pp. 110. ISBN 978-92-9081-495-5. OCLC 808216267. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/808216267. 
  4. "Berlinia grandiflora – Useful Tropical Plants". http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Berlinia+grandiflora. 

Wikidata ☰ Q5726388 entry