Common Name:

General Information

Cylicodiscus gabunensis is a tree that can be evergreen or deciduous depending upon the climate in which it grows. It has a spreading, hemispherical crown that can become very large, and can grow up to 60 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 200cm or more in diameter and unbranched for up to 30 metres; it is swollen at the base and sometimes slightly fluted. The tree is armed with brown thorns in the seedling stage[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of soap and wood. The wood is valued, especially for its durability, and is also often traded internationally.

Known Hazards

The bark is used as a fish poison[].

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Cote D'Ivoire to Cameroon, south to northern Angola.

Habitat

Evergreen and deciduous forest; sometimes common; at elevations from 400-450 metres[]. Deciduous as well as evergreen forest, but is most abundant in well-drained sites in moist semi-deciduous forest[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	45.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Although the mature plant grows up into the sun, young plants grow well in the shade of the forest[]. Prefers a deep, moist loamy sand with good drainage[].
The tree probably grows slowly[].
One big tree may provide 15 - 20 cubic metres of usable timber[].
The winged seeds, which are dispersed by wind, are eaten by several primate species. Natural regeneration is often sparse[].
The logs sink in water and therefore cannot be transported by river[].
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

A bark decoction, administered by enema, is used to treat stomach-ache. It is drunk, or used in a bath, to bring relief from pain and also as a treatment against vomiting, venereal diseases, malaria, psoriasis and rheumatism[].

A macerate of the leaves is used as a remedy for migraine[].

Flavonoids, saponins, tannins, polyphenols, coumarins, triterpenes and/or sterols, and reducing sugars were detected in the ethyl acetate extract of the stem bark. The extract also showed antimicrobial activity against, among others, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus cereus[].
An ethyl acetate extract of the bark has shown significant anti-diarrhoeal effect[].
The bark showed significant antiplasmodial activity, which supports the use against malaria in traditional medicine[].

Agroforestry Uses:

It is a moderately fast-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree[].

Other Uses

The bark is rich in saponins and is used as a soap substitute[].

The heartwood is yellowish brown, often with a slight green tinge, on exposure darkening to reddish brown with a yellowish or greenish tinge; it is distinctly demarcated from the 5 - 8cm wide layer of pale pink sapwood. The grain is interlocked; texture moderately coarse; the wood is often slightly striped and lustrous, with an unpleasant smell when freshly cut[]. The wood is very heavy and hard; very durable, showing excellent natural resistance to wood decay fungi and is also to dry-wood borer, marine borer and termite attacks. The sapwood is liable to fungi and powder-post beetles and should be removed before the wood is processed. The resistance to wood-rotting fungi is due to the presence of natural compounds such as isookanin and okanin[]. It is difficult to saw and work, with some dulling effect on cutting edges, and force is required - stellite-tipped saws are recommended. It is difficult to obtain a smooth finish because of the interlocked grain; planing shows best results at a cutting angle of 15°; the wood holds screws and nails well, but pre-boring is needed; the gluing, staining, polishing and painting properties are satisfactory, but for optimal polishing effect the use of a filler is required; turning gives good results. The wood is not suitable for veneer or plywood production[]. The wood is used for heavy construction including marine construction, sluice gates and bridges, heavy flooring, joinery, vehicle bodies, mine props, shipbuilding especially for decking, marine piling, furniture including garden furniture, sporting goods, agricultural implements, railway sleepers, carving and turning[, ].
The wood is used for fuel and for charcoal production[]. A hot-burning wood, though it is inclined to crackle and make sparks[].

Propagation

Seed - it does not show dormancy, and germinates in 5 - 12 days[].

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