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Useful Tropical Plants

Eriosema psoraloides

(Lam.) G.Don

Fabaceae


The name of this taxon is sometimes spelled Eriosema psoraleoides. The name, however, is based on Crotalaria psoraloides Lam., and so this is the correct way to spell it.

+ Synonyms

Crotalaria psoraloides Lam.

Eriosema argenteum A.Chev.

Eriosema cajanoides (Guill. & Perr.) Hook. f.

Eriosema floribundum Klotzsch

Eriosema incanum Klotzsch

Eriosema macrophyllum Klotzsch

Eriosema polystachyum E.Mey.

Eriosema proschii Briq.

Rhynchosia cajanoides Guill. & Perr.

Rhynchosia psoraloides (Lam.) DC.

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Eriosema psoraloides is an erect perennial plant producing more or less woody stems. It usually develops a singlr main stem with spreading branches above, growing up to 2 metres tall[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
,
544
Title
Cataloge of African Plants Collected by Dr. Friedrich Welwitsch in 1853 - 1861
Publication
 
Author
Hiern. W.P.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Longmans & Co.; London.
Year
1898
ISBN
 
Description
In 6 volumes, it gives botanical descriptions and some uses of the plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

(leaf) Phytochemistry: fish-poisons[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].

Botanical References

308
Title
Flora Zambesiaca
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants.

Range

Widespread in Africa fom Senegal to Ethiopia, south to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and northeast S. Africa

Habitat

Dambo fringes, lake shores, river banks, coarse grassland, Acacia woodland and woodland/grassland interfaces, disturbed ground, pastureland, as a weed in cultivation, and on termite mounds; at elevations up to 1,560 metres[
308
Title
Flora Zambesiaca
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitShrub
Height1.50 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Found in the wild on loamy and sandy-loam soils[
375
Title
Grassland Species - Profiles
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses.
]. Grows wild on sandy and black soils, usually in marshy or damp places[
308
Title
Flora Zambesiaca
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants.
]. Plants growing by water are often in water for periods when the water level rises[
308
Title
Flora Zambesiaca
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants.
].
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[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Edible Uses

The yellow seeds are cooked[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Medicinal

All parts of the plant are used medicinally in Africa to treat a wide range of conditions. The roots are considered to be generally healing, diuretic, emetic, febrifuge and to have a positive influence on female fertility and health. They are used in the treatment of conditions such as ,naso-pharyngeal affections, stomach troubles, diarrhoea, dysentery, kidney problems etc. They are seen as genital stimulants, regulators of the menstrual cycle, as an aid in pregnancy and also to help obtain an abortion[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].

The roots, flowers and fruits are used to relieve pain[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].

The flowers and fruit are sedative[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
]

The leaves are used in the treatment of eye problems, skin problems and cutaneous and subcutaneous parasitic infection[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].

The leaves and root are abortifacient, ecbolic and vermifuges. They are also used in the treatment of venereal diseases[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].

The whole plant and the root ash are used to treat pulmonary troubles[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
]

Other Uses

The leaves are rubbed into the fur of dogs as a remedy for or preventative of lice etc[
1415
Title
Plants of Possible Insecticidal Value - A Review of the Literature up to 1941
Publication
 
Author
McIndoo N.E.
Publisher
USDA; Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine
Year
1945
ISBN
 
Description
Information on the insecticidal properties (or not) of almost 1,200 species of plant. Rather dated but still with information hard to obtain elsewhere. It can be downloaded from the Intenet
].

The twigs are used as chewing sticks in order to clean the teeth and maintain oral hygiene[
1447
Title
Antimicrobial Activity of Tanzanian Chewing Sticks Against Oral Pathogenic Microbes
Publication
Pharmaceutical Biology, 38:3, 235-240; 2000
Author
Maryam N. Khan, Olipa Ngassapa & Mecky I.N. Matee
Website
https://doi.org/10.1076/1388-0209(200007)3831-SFT235
Publisher
 
Year
2000
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The bark contains compounds with antimicrobial activity and is best left on the stem when chewing[
1447
Title
Antimicrobial Activity of Tanzanian Chewing Sticks Against Oral Pathogenic Microbes
Publication
Pharmaceutical Biology, 38:3, 235-240; 2000
Author
Maryam N. Khan, Olipa Ngassapa & Mecky I.N. Matee
Website
https://doi.org/10.1076/1388-0209(200007)3831-SFT235
Publisher
 
Year
2000
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-11-24. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Eriosema+psoraloides>

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