Common Name:

General Information

Berlinia grandiflora ranges in habit from a shrub just 2 - 5 metres tall, to a spreading tree with a dense, rounded, crown that usually grows up to 20 metres tall, exceptionally to 30 metres[, ]. The bole can be 10 - 70cm in diameter[]. The tree produces very fragrant, large, conspicuous flowers[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of timber, the timber is also harvested commercially and exported. The tree is grown as an ornamental and to provide shade in plantations and villages[].
Berlinia grandiflora is the most widespread of the genus and is known to occur within the protected areas network. However, the level of deforestation and natural habitat degradation in some of the areas in which the species occurs are high, indicating that botanical surveys and monitoring of the species is required. There are no estimates of population numbers for this species so population decline cannot be assessed with certainty, however population decline is not thought to be over the threshold for a threatened category. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The seed contains fatty acids that can cause severe diarrhoea in humans[].

Botanical References

Range

Western tropical Africa - Sierra Leone and Guinea to northern Angola, Congo and Central African Rep.

Habitat

Fringing forest; flooded rain-forest; swampy and wet places; disturbed forests; vegetation with Terminalia; sometimes abundant in gallery forest; to elevations of 915 metres in W Cameroon[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moister lowland tropics.

Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified) is used as an emetic and a purgative[].

The bark sap is applied to sores and wounds[]
Bark decoctions are administered to treat hemorrhoids and liver problems[].

A decoction of the leafy twigs is used as febrifuge and antiemetic while leafy decoctions are taken as tonic[].

The analgesic activity of the stem bark extract has been reported[].
The leaf and stem bark extracts have been shown to have appreciable antimicrobial and antihelminthic properties[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes grown to provide shade in coffee plantations[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is pinkish-brown with purple or dark brown veins and frequent resin canals; it is clearly demarcated from the 10 - 15cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight or interlocked. The wood is moderately heavy, moderately hard, moderately durable, being moderately resistant to fungi and termites and resistant to dry wood borers. It seasons somewhat slowly with only a slight risk of distortion or checking; once dry it is poorly to moderately stable in service. It works well with normal tools; nailing and screwing are good, but pre-boring is required; gluing is correct. The wood has many applications, including for interior and exterior panelling and joinery, cabinet making, furniture, light carpentry, turnery, flooring, drums and veneer[, ]. Berlinia wood is, in general, similar to white oak (Quercus alba) in durability, density and usefulness. It is an attractive, decorative hardwood that can be used for fine, interior joinery[].

Propagation

Seed -

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