This species is part of a complex of closely related species, including Urera flamigniana Lambinon; Urera gravenreuthii Engl.; and Urera cordifolia Engl. These species are separated by having different distribution areas in West and Central Africa[].

Common Name:

General Information

Urera mannii is usually a climbing shrub when growing in closed forests, with stems 3 - 6 metres long that attach themselves to other vegetation by means of adventitious roots. When growing in more open areas, however, it is more commonly an erect shrub or small tree[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of fibre.

Known Hazards

The leaves and flowers are cloaked in stinging hairs[].
The leaves are used as a component of arrow poison[].

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - possibly restricted to the islands off west central Africa, but possibly also extending from Liberia to Cameroon.

Habitat

Closed forests and also in more open vegetation[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	5.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten as spinach[]. Eaten in soups and as a mucilaginous cooked vegetable[].

Medicinal

A leaf-decoction is taken in Nigeria as a cure for dysentery and diarrhoea[].

The following reports are for the closely related U. Cordifolia[]. They almost certainly apply to this species also.

There are numerous local medicinal uses reported for the leaf sap, leaf decoctions and dried, powdered leaves. These include in the treatment of dysentery; neuralgia; deafness and other ear affections; diarrhoea with blood; chest pain; male impotency; and furuncles. The leaves are also used as an aphrodisiac and laxative[, ].

The whole plant is used as a diuretic[].

The sap of crushed inflorescences is taken as a poison antidote[].

Other Uses

The following report is for the closely related U. Cordifolia[]. It almost certainly applies to this species also.

A strong fibre is obtained from the bark. It is used for making ropes and fishing lines[].

Propagation

Seed -

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