Common Name:

General Information

Lannea welwitschii is a deciduous or evergreen tree with a large, spreading crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The bole, which is straight, cylindrical and has small buttresses, can be free of branches for more than half its height and up to 100cm in diameter[, ].
A multipurpose tree, being harvested from the wild to provide food, medicine and various materials for local people. It has excellent potential for use as a pioneer species when restoring woodland; it is also grown as a hedge; to provide shade in plantations; and as a street tree[].
Lannea welwitschii is a widespread species, with no major threats although the bark and gum is used in places. There are no known major threats to this species and it occurs in multiple protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

The sawdust may cause allergic reactions to the skin and mucous membranes[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Cote D'Ivoire to Ethiopia, south to Angola, DR Congo, Tanzania.

Habitat

Deciduous and secondary forests[]. Lowland forests in Tanzania[]. Lowland rainforest and riverine forest at elevations up to 1,100 metres, occasionally to 1,250 metres. It is often found in swampy areas in the forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low to moderate elevations in the moist tropics. In Ethiopia it is found in regions with a mean annual rainfall of 1,500 - 2,000mm[].

A fast-growing tree[].
Trees respond well to coppicing and pollarding[].
Natural regeneration is most abundant in medium-large gaps in the forest[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. Resinous, with an acid flavour[, ]. Viscous and resinous, the fruit smells of turpentine[]. The fruit, which looks rather like a tick, is about 6 - 7mm long, blackish and flattened[].

Medicinal

The bark is commonly used in traditional medicine. A decoction is taken by women in the treatment of menstrual troubles, pain after childbirth and sterility[, ]. The decoction is also taken to treat a range of other conditions including dysentery, diarrhoea, urethral discharge and haemorrhoids[]. Diluted with palm-wine, the pulped up bark is taken as a treatment for epilepsy[].
The pulped-up bark is applied as a wet dressing on oedema of the legs[]. The stem-bark is used to treat skin-infections, ulcers etc[, ]. A powder made from the dry bark is used for the treatment of snake bites and for wounds[, ].
Although often used to treat skin problems in Africa, examination of plant material for anti-pathogenic activity has shown neither bacteriostatic nor fungistatic action[]. Bark-extracts have been found to contain no alkaloid, but have some saponins and tannins[].

A root-decoction is expectorant or emetic, and is taken in the treatment of cough and pulmonary congestion, as an antidote in cases of poisoning, and as a mouth-wash for gingivitis and mouth-infections[].

The seeds are used as a purgative[, ].

The pounded leaves are applied as a dressing to treat oedema, and are taken in palm wine in the treatment of epilepsy[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is used for live fences[].
The tree is occasionally planted as a shade tree in coffee and cocoa plantations[].
It is especially common in secondary forest and is considered a pioneer species. Since it is fast growing, has so many useful attributes for humans and also provides food for the native fauna, this species has excellent potential as a pioneer when restoring native woodland or establishing woodland gardens[].
Mulch from the leaves is considered to improve soil conditions[].

Other Uses

The wood and bark contain an abundant colourless gummy sap which is sometimes resinous[].

The bark yields an orange-yellow to reddish brown dye that is used for dyeing traditional mourning cloth[, ].
A red dye is obtained from the bark[].

The fibrous bark is used to make ropes and sandals[, ].

The heartwood is creamy white to pale brown or pinkish grey; it is indistinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The grain is usually straight, but occasionally interlocked; texture medium to fine and even; odour resinous. The wood is light in weight, pliable but is not durable. It is susceptible to blue stain, termite, pinhole borer, Lyctus and marine borer attacks, and logs left lying in the forest are readily attacked by borers. It is rather difficult to saw and work, partly due to the presence of silica; it has a tendency to heat up considerably and it has a serious blunting effect on saw teeth and cutting edges. In planing operations, it often develops a woolly surface. However, with care a good finish can be obtained. The nailing properties are satisfactory, with good holding power. Gluing and polishing show acceptable results. The peeling properties are quite good. The wood is used for household utensils such as cups, plates, milk pots and grain mortars; for light joinery, boxes, crates; and for veneer and plywood[, ]. For starting fires and for grain mortars[]. It is suitable for light flooring, interior trim, vehicle bodies, furniture, cabinet work, matches, hardboard, particle board and pulpwood[, ]. The boles are traditionally used to make canoes[].
The wood has a resinous smell and burns well, it is used for starting fires, also as a fuel, and for making charcoal[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, the seed does not need pre-treatment. It can be sown in a moderately sunny position in a nursery seedbed, or in situ. Germination rates are usually quite low, about 30%, with the seed sprouting in 1 - 3 weeks[].
The fruits should be gradually dried before they are stored; they can be kept for up to 2 months in sealed containers in a cool place[].

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