Gymnosporia serrata
(Hochst. ex A.Rich.) Loes.
Celastraceae
Celastrus schimperi Hochst. ex A.Rich.
Celastrus serratus Hochst. ex A.Rich.
Maytenus serrata (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) R.Wilczek
Common Name:
General Information
Gymnosporia serrata is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing from 0.8 - 4 metres tall, with spines up to 27mm long[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its leaves, which are used medicinally. The plant has also been suggested as an evergreen hedge.
Gymnosporia serrata has an estimated population size of fewer the 10,000 mature individuals and has been experiencing significant declines of 10% over three generations (45-50 years). Threats stem from the increased human population in the region, leading to agricultural expansion, increased grazing and use of the species for firewood and charcoal production. There are few conservation actions in place for this species. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Northeast Africa - Ethiopia.
Habitat
Rocky or grassy slopes or in flatter areas in open fields as bushes often in clumps of 2 - 4 together, at elevations of around 1,650 - 2,250 metres[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 2.50 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
The plant is used for food[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. No more information is given.
Medicinal
The leaves, known as 'add-add', are used in the treatment of malaria[
526- Title
- An Illustrated Dictionary of Medicine, Biology and Allied Sciences.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gould G.M.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- P. Blakiston's Son & Co.; Philadelphia.
- Year
- 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A major work at the time, though very dated now. Contains quite a lot of information about medicinal plant uses.
]. They contain tannin, a bitter principle, celastrin, and a volatile oil[
526- Title
- An Illustrated Dictionary of Medicine, Biology and Allied Sciences.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gould G.M.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- P. Blakiston's Son & Co.; Philadelphia.
- Year
- 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A major work at the time, though very dated now. Contains quite a lot of information about medicinal plant uses.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant has been recommended as suitable for growing as an evergreen hedge[
452- Title
- The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture (6 volumes)
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bailey L.H.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- The MacMillan Company, Toronto.
- Year
- 1919
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Rather dated, but it still contains a wealth of useful information. It can be downloaded from the internet.
].
Other Uses
The wood is used to make farming implements[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Propagation
Seed -
Cuttings.
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
