Biology:Zanthoxylum leprieurii

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Zanthoxylum leprieurii
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Zanthoxylum
Species:
Z. leprieurii
Binomial name
Zanthoxylum leprieurii
Guill. & Perr.

Zanthoxylum leprieurii is a low branching medium sized tree of the Rutaceae family that grows up to 24 m long and a reach of up to 40 cm in diameter. Parts of the plant is widely used in African folk medicine.

Description

Stems often have conical, woody prickle-bearing protuberances up to 6 cm long. Leaves alternate, imparipinnately compound, with 8-17 leaflets.[1][2] Leaflets opposite - sub-opposite, 15 - 55 cm long.[1][2]

Distribution

The areas of distribution of this plant is in Tropical Africa, from Senegal in the West, to Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa and reaches Mozambique in Southern Africa.[1]

Uses

Extracts from the stem and root bark have a wide variety of applications in traditional healing practices.[1] They are sometimes used as part of a decoction to treat venereal diseases, body pain, dysentery, urinary infections, male impotence and intestinal worms.[1] Leaf extracts are used as a topical treatment of wound, kidney pain arthritis, bleeding gums and sores.[1]

Though, not known for its durability wood obtained from the plant is used as material to build canoes and boats, drums, crates and boxes.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Medicinal plants. G. H. Schmelzer, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, PROTA Foundation, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation. Wageningen: PROTA Foundation. 2008. pp. 281-282. ISBN 978-90-5782-204-9. OCLC 297222192. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/297222192. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Kalema, James (2020). Field guide to the forest trees of Uganda for identification and conservation. Alan Hamilton. Wallingford, UK. ISBN 978-1-78924-528-8. OCLC 1158276276. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1158276276. 

Wikidata ☰ Q15395095 entry