Common Name:

General Information

Philenoptera nelsii is a deciduous shrub growing 1 - 3 metres tall, or a bushy tree with a rounded or irregular crown growing 4 - 12 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, tooth cleaner and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eastern and southern Africa - Tanzania, southern DR Congo, Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe.

Habitat

Dry open woodland and bushland; often on deep Kalahari sand; at elevations around 800 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	7.00 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 bark is antitussive and pectoral. A decoction is drunk in the treatment of chest ailments and severe or persistent coughing[].

The root is antitussive and pectoral. A decoction is drunk in the treatment of chest ailments and severe or persistent coughing[].

The leaves are chewed to treat a bad cold[].

Other Uses

Pencil-sized branches are used as chew sticks for cleaning the teeth and maintaining oral hygeine[].

The wood is sometimes used to make household utensils such as spoons[].

Propagation

Seed -

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