Common Name:

General Information

Pericopsis laxiflora is a deciduous shrub or tree with a dishevelled crown of crooked, drooping branches; it usually grows from 9 - 13 metres tall, but is occasionally only a shrub up to 2 metres. The bole is usually twisted and crooked, up to 25cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is a popular traditional medicine and is commonly harvested from the wild for local use. It also provides a very good quality timber, but generally only in small dimensions and so is not suitable for commercial exploitation[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Senegal to Sudan.

Habitat

Savannah woodland, often in rocky places, on ironstone and lateritic soils in high rainfall areas; fringing forest. One of the commonest trees[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used medicinally[].

The bark is used in the treatment of dropsy, swellings, oedema, gout; insanity; paralysis, epilepsy, convulsions, spasm; stomach troubles[].

The root is ebrifuge and laxative, and is also used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery[].

The leaves are used in the treatment of eye complaints and oral problems[].

Other Uses

The wood is very similar to Pericopsis angolensis, and can be used for the same purposes, but larger sizes are not available[]. The description and uses of the wood of Pericopsis angolensis are as follows:-

The heartwood is greenish brown, turning dark brown to almost black upon drying; it is distinctly demarcated from the up to 25mm wide band of whitish to yellowish grey sapwood. The grain is interlocked; texture moderately fine; the wood is strikingly banded or shows a whorled figure; it is oily to the touch. The wood is heavy, very hard, very durable and resistant to fungi, termites and all wood borers including marine borers. It is also highly resistant to abrasive action and chemicals. It air dries very slowly but with little degrade, except slight surface checking. The rates of shrinkage are low; once dry it is moderately stable in service. The wood is difficult to saw and work because of its high density; it is rather difficult to plane and a cutting angle of 20% is recommended, but it has a smooth finish; it holds nails and screws well, but pre-boring is necessary; gluing, staining and polishing do not cause problems. The wood turns well; bending properties are moderate. Traditionally, the extremely durable wood is highly esteemed for making hoes and pestles, and for the rims and hubs of wagon wheels. Commercially, if pieces sufficiently large are available, the wood is used for flooring and panelling, and it is also suitable for heavy construction, railway sleepers, mine props, ship building, vehicle bodies, fence poles, vats, interior trim, joinery, furniture, cabinet work, handles, ladders, agricultural implements, sporting goods, musical instruments, toys, novelties, precision equipment, carvings and turnery[].
The wood is used as a fuel - it is difficult to light, but produces great heat and little ash. It also makes excellent charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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