Common Name:

General Information

Pentaclethra eetveldeana is an evergreen tree with a dense, more or less spreading, dome-like crown; it can grow 15 - 30 metres tall[]. The bole is generally sinuous, about 90cm in diameter, either with small buttresses or without buttresses[, ].
A multipurpose tree, providing food, medicines and a range of commodities for the local people.

Known Hazards

Although no records have been seen for this species, other members of this genus contain a toxic alkaloid[].

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Cameroon to Zaire, south to Angola and the Congo.

Habitat

Disturbed forests at elevations up to 800 metres[]. Rainforest, most commonly in secondary forest, where it may be dominant[]. It can also be found in pockets of forest in savannah regions and in gallery forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of the moist, tropical lowlands[].

Trees respond well to coppicing[].

Edible Uses

Seeds - cooked[].

An edible oil can be extracted from the seeds[].

Medicinal

A leaf decoction is taken to treat stomach-ache and colds[].

The root bark is used to treat malaria, epilepsy and haemorrhoids[].
A bark decoction is administered to treat respiratory troubles, tuberculosis, genito-urinary complaints and as an anthelmintic[]. It is applied externally against rheumatism and as an anodyne[].
Bark extracts have shown antifungal activity[]. Some monoglycerides and fatty acid conjugates of triterpenes were isolated from the root bark[].

Bark sap is administered as eye drops to treat filariasis[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree regenerates well in disturbed soils, fixes atmospheric nitrogen and grows fairly quickly[]. It is probably suitable for use as a pioneer species[].

Other Uses

An oil obtained from the seed is used in soap and candle production[].

The heartwood is pinkish white or yellowish white to dark brown, and distinctly demarcated from the up to 25mm thick white to pale yellow sapwood[]. The grain is straight; texture medium to coarse; dark-coloured veins may be visible on the radial surface of the wood, whereas the tangential surface is slightly striped[]. The wood is moderately heavy; fairly hard; moderately durable, being susceptible to pinhole borer and marine borer attacks and moderately resistant to termites[]. It finishes satisfactorily; sawing does not cause great difficulties as long as speeds are slow; it does not split in nailing and holds nails well[]. The wood is used for construction and implements (e.g. Pestles and mortars). It is also suitable for flooring, interior trim, joinery, furniture, cabinet work, toys and novelties, mine props, vehicle bodies, railway sleepers, turnery, veneer, plywood, hardboard and particle board[].
The wood is commonly used as firewood and for charcoal production[].

Propagation

Seed - the germination rate is generally high, but germination is often unevenly distributed[]. It is recommended that the seeds be planted directly into the field because the taproot of the seedlings is easily damaged in transplanting[].

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