Common Name:

General Information

Octoknema borealis is a tree with a dense crown consisting of long branches; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical or slightly uneven bole is up to 60cm in diameter with buttresses[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Guinea to Ghana.

Habitat

Evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, especially on moister slopes[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Octoknema borealis regenerates in the shade; it is classified as a shade bearer[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The pulverized bark is rubbed on the skin as a treatment for feve[]r. The bark is steeped in cold water and the resulting infusion is drunk to cure cough[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is yellow to pale brown; it is not distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The wood has a glossy lustre and an evil smell when freshly cut. It is fairly hard and strong, of medium weight and fairly durable. It cuts easily, but has a tendency to pick up on planing; it can be finished to a smooth surface. The wood is used locally, mainly for making frames in the construction of huts and for the reinforcement of the mudwalls[, ].
The wood is used as firewood[].

Propagation

Seed -

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