Common Name:

General Information

Macaranga monandra is an evergreen tree with a much-branched, bushy crown; it can grow from 6 - 25 metres tall. The bole is usually spiny, the spines sparse, up to 75mm long and blunt[].
The tree is used to provide shade for amenity purposes[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, DR Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, Angola.

Habitat

Groundwater secondary forests, sometimes in large stands; common in riverine, lakeside and swamp-edge forests; dense primitive forest in Angola; humus on laterite (probably) in half-shade; at elevations from 350 - 1,525 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Sometimes found wild in moderate shade[].
A fast-growing, light-demanding pioneer species of forest gaps[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the stem bark is taken as a galactagogue. The decoction, combined with the bark of Pentaclethra eetveldeana, is taken by women to treat sterility. A bark decoction is drunk to treat dyspnoea. A large amount of bark decoction is drunk in case of threatened abortion. A twig bark decoction is taken to treat intercostal neuralgia[].

Tannins, steroids and terpenes are recorded present in the leaves, bark and roots[].
Hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of the methanol extract of the stem bark showed growth inhibition of different plant fungi: Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum fragariae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea, Phomopsis obscurans and Phomopsis viticola. Two active clerodane-type diterpenes were isolated: kolavenic acid and 2-oxo-kolavenic acid. These two compounds showed moderate growth inhibition of Phomopsis viticola and Botrytis cinerea. Isolated from other plants, these compounds also showed cytotoxic and antibacterial activities[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A relatively widespread and a fast-growing pioneer species of forest gaps[]. It has potential for use in forest restoration projects[].

Other Uses

The wood is rather soft and used for general purposes such as timber, boxes, crates and beehives[].
The wood is considered a good fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings.

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