Common Name:

General Information

Anthocleista vogelii is an evergreen tree growing from 6 - 20 metres tall. The bole can be 15 - 55cm in diameter, sometimes with stilt roots. The leaves are usually up to 40cm long, but in young plants they can be up to 150cm long and 45cm wide[, ].
This tree is one of several species in the genus that are much used in traditional medicine and for similar medicinal purposes. They may all be used as substitutes for each other. When sold on the market it is difficult to differentiate the dried bark of the different species. The tree is commonly harvested from the wild, where it also supplies timber and materials for dyeing and making soap. The flowers are sweetly scented and the tree is used to provide shade and for amenity[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Sierra Leone to southern Sudan and Kenya, south to Angola, Zambia and Tanzania.

Habitat

Moist localities, in swamps, in Raphia groves, on river banks, in primary rainforest or secondary forest, at elevations from sea-level to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified) is widely used in West Africa as a strong purgative and diuretic[].

A root decoction is commonly taken to treat a variety of conditions including constipation; venereal diseases; hernia; bronchitis; fevers; stomach-ache in women; ovarian problems; to regulate menstruation; to induce labour; and to act as an abortifacient. Combined with lemon, the root is taken to treat hepatitis[]. Combined with the root of Combretum mucronatum plus pepper and ashes, the root is used to treat chest pain[].
Applied externally, the root is used as a wash, bath or vapour bath to treat leprosy, venereal diseases, oedema and scrotal elephantiasis[].

A decoction of dry fallen leaves is taken to treat jaundice[].
Sap of young leaves, root powder or bark pulp is used to treat sores, abscesses, as a haemostatic and for cicatrization. Sap is applied topically to treat otitis or ophthalmia. A plaster of pulp of terminal buds is used to draw out thorns or splinters and is applied to snakebites[].

The bark and seed are used as an antipyretic and tonic[].
The seed is also used as a purgative[].
Fresh twig bark, combined with manioc, is eaten raw to treat aspermia[]. A stem bark decoction is taken to treat hernia[].

Tests with aqueous, hexane, acetone and methanol extracts of the stem bark have shown potent anti-ulcer properties, which could explain the traditional use in the treatment of stomach-ache[].

Other Uses

The wood-ash is used as a mordant to fix colours[].
Rich in potash, the wood ash is used in making soap[].

The leaves are placed between tobacco leaves during drying to make the tobacco stronger[].

The whitish wood is soft and perishable. It is used to make crates[, ]. The stems are hollowed out to make quivers and the trunks are cut for dugout canoes[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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