It has been proposed ( (Edeline Gagnon et al; A new generic system for the pantropical Caesalpinia group (Leguminosae) PhytoKeys 71: 1-160; 2016) that this species should be transferred to the genus Guilandina. It is very likely that this change will take place, but it is awaiting a proper publication of the new name[].

Common Name:

General Information

Caesalpinia volkensii is a climbing shrub with straggling stems that are armed with recurved and straight prickles 2 - 4 mm long[].
The plant is used in traditional medicine and as a dye plant, usually harvested from the wild though it is occasionally planted near homesteads[]. It is traded as a medicine on a local scale, and occasionally exported to neighbouring countries[].
Habitat destruction and over-exploitation are potential threats since, although widespread, the plant is apparently nowhere common[].

Known Hazards

The fruits are poisonous[].

Botanical References

Range

Eastern tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Habitat

Forests and forest margins at elevations up to 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil[]. Requires a position in full sun[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Caesalpinia volkensii is used in traditional medicine in Kenya and Tanzania mainly as a treatment for malaria[]. In the area around Nairobi (Kenya) over 60% of the herbalists prescribe a decoction of the leaves to cure malaria, sometimes alone, but more often mixed with other plants[]. In-vitro tests of the leaf extracts have shown antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum[].
The leaf decoction is also taken to fight pains during pregnancy[].

Pregnant women take powdered pods dissolved in water to relieve stomach-ache[].

The roots are eaten cooked, raw or as an addition to palm wine for their aphrodisiac properties[]. They are also used to treat gonorrhoea and bilharzia[].

The seeds are used to cure stomach ulcers[].

Flower buds are crushed and applied to the eye to treat eye problems[].

Unspecified plant parts are used in Kenya to treat retinoblastoma[].

Other Uses

The roots are a source of red dye[, ].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 - 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Softwood cuttings in sand in a frame[].

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