Zanthoxylum leprieurii
'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.
| Zanthoxylum leprieurii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| 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. | |
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
- 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.CS1 maint: others (link)
- 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.