Common Name:

General Information

Lannea acida is a deciduous shrub or tree with a dense, rounded crown; it usually grows from 1.5 - 10 metres tall, though specimens up to 18 metres have been recorded. The bole can be 50 - 70cm in diameter[, , ].
A valuable multi-purpose tree, widely used by local people and supplying food, medicines and other commodities. It is often not cut down when the brush is cleared for farming and is sometimes planted, but not cultivated on an organized basis[, ]. It is particularly esteemed as a medicinal plant in Senegal, where it is sold in local markets[].
Lannea acida has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western tropical Africa - Senegal to Nigeria.

Habitat

Savannah, particularly in rocky situations[]. Wooded savannah; often on gravelly (deep) soils, rocky places and hills; bare granite rock; granitic hardpan; bush far from villages; very common; at elevations up to 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in hot, tropical lowlands[]. where it can succeed with an annual precipitation as low as 635mm[].
Tolerant of poor, dry, rocky soils[, ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
The thick fissured bark helps the tree resist bush-fires[, ].
The trees are dioecious[, ]. The male inflorescences are scented[]. Both male and female forms need to be grown if the fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

An edible, soluble gum is obtained from the stem[, , ].

Fruit - raw, cooked or made into drinks[, , ]. A subacid flavour[]. A slightly acid and resinous taste[, ]. The fruits, which hang in large clusters, are about 15mm long, red to purple-black with a bloom[, ]. It can be dried for later use[].

Young leaves - cooked[, ]. Leaf analysis showed: carbohydrates 67%, protein 18%, minerals 5%, etc[].

Medicinal

Lannea acida is a very popular traditional medicine in Senegal. The bark has such a wide medicinal appeal that it is commonly sold in markets in Dakar as a 'women’s' medicine, especially to ensure an easy childbirth; and is sold with other plants to counter sterility[].

The bark is used internally in the treatment of stomach troubles, beriberi, schistosomiasis and haemorrhoids[]. Combined with other plants, it is used to treat dysentery and sterility[].
Applied externally, it is used to treat eye-troubles[].
Vapour from a bark-decoction is inhaled into the mouth to treat dental caries and buccal infections[].
The root bark is considered good for treating skin-infections. It is used in baths and lotions for blotches, herpes, etc., and a similar preparation is taken internally after 4 - 5 hours fermentation for gonorrhoea[].

The powdered root, mixed with salt, is made into a tampon for application to the scrotum in treating orchitis[].

Sap obtained from pounding the bark is given to epileptics and to persons subject to giddiness and fainting[].

The leaves are astringent and are used in Senegal for toothache[].

The kernel is purgative[].

Other Uses

Powdered bark, mixed with other materials, is used as a paint for the face[].

The bark is fibrous, and a cordage can be made from it but quality is poor[].

A gum is obtained from the tree[].

The nut is thin-shelled, and the kernel within oily. The oil is used for making soap or for toilet purposes[, ].

The wood is whitish and soft[]. It is considered hard enough to make small stools, planks and other utensils[, ]. It is flexible and is used for bows[].
The wood makes a good fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -
Prior to planting the seeds need a good soaking in warm water. A 2-minute acid bath, followed by washing and soaking 12 hours in water, is also recommended. The seeds then germinate well in soil-filled plastic bags. In the nursery, protection against rodents is necessary[].

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