Common Name:

General Information

Drypetes molunduana is a shrub or small tree growing up to 10 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.
Clearance of the forest for wood, agriculture and urban expansion is recorded at 8 of the 11 sites where this species is known to exist, and it has been extensive at many of these sites. Population levels of the plant are decreasing, and it is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo.

Habitat

Lowland evergreen forest; at elevations up to 1,200 metres[]. Understorey of primary forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	6.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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 leafy stem is taken to treat inflammations, boils, swellings and tumours. It is also used as a pain killer[].

Chemical analysis of the stems revealed the presence of the sesquiterpene lactone drypemolundein A, friedelane-3,7-dione and the friedelane derivatives drypemolundein B and acetyldrypemolundein, erythrodiol, oleanolic acid,
hederagenin, syringaresinol and bayogenin[].
Oral administration of the stem extract showed significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities[]. Drypemolundein A is mainly responsible for these activities. Drypemolundein B was found to be inactive[].

Other Uses

The wood is hard and is used traditionally for house-building[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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