Berlinia grandiflora

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Berlinia grandiflora
Scientific classification Edit this classification
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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Uses[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ a b Arbonnier, Michel (2004). Trees, shrubs, and lianas of West African dry zones. Paris: CIRAD. p. 211. ISBN 2-87614-579-0. OCLC 56937881.
  2. ^ a b c 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.