Common Name:

General Information

Sphenocentrum jollyanum is an evergreen shrub growing around 1.5 metres tall.
The plant is widely used for medicinal purposes in its native environment where it is gathered from the wild[]. The root is sold in local markets, and worldwide over the internet, as an aphrodisiac[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western tropical Africa.

Habitat

The undergrowth of rainforest, often in deep shade, also in gallery forest, from sea-level up to 400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Ants, insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant grows in regions with a mean minimum temperature of 20°c and a mean maximum of 29°c. The mean annual rainfall is 1,800mm or more[].

Edible Uses

The roots are used as chewing sticks[]. Acid and bitter when first eaten, they are reported to create a sweet sensation in the mouth when non-sweet foods are eaten quite soon afterwards[, , ].

Fruit - a mango-like flavour[]. It is eaten to combat fatigue[]. The fruit is composed of 3 - 12 drupes, each drupe ellipsoid, up to 26mm × 16mm, yellow to orange at maturity[].

Medicinal

Sphenocentrum jollyanum has shown anti-oxidant, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antinociceptive, antitumor, antiviral, laxative, stomachic, tonic and aphrodisiac activities.

The plant, mainly the bark, is used as an emetic and purgative, especially when poisoning is suspected[].

The root is used as an aphrodisiac tonic for men[]. The sap from chewing sticks made from the root is believed to relieve stomach-ache and constipation, and to boost appetite and sexual drive[]. In Côte d’Ivoire the root is pulped into a paste, with salt, fruit of maniguette (Aframomum melegueta) and palm oil, and the mixture is taken to treat abdominal disorders[]. Pounded roots are taken to treat high blood pressure[]. The boiled or pulped roots are given in draught or enema against epileptic fits[]. In Ghana the pulped roots have been applied to treat breast tumours[]. In Nigeria a decoction of the root is applied to dress tropical ulcers[].

A decoction of the leafy twigs is used as a wash to stop bleeding of wounds, sores and cuts; the wounds are also covered with the powdered bark[]. Ingestion of crushed leaves curbs spitting of blood[].

The fruit is edible and is taken against fatigue. It is sometimes taken with lemon or the fruits of Piper guineense to cure coughs[].

Other Uses

The roots are used as chewing sticks[].

Propagation

Seed -

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