This name is not universally accepted. Adema, F. 2000. Notes on Malesian Fabaceae XX. Derris in Thailand and Malesia. Thai Forest Bull., Bot. 28:2 - 16 has transferred this species to the genus Aganope as Aganope stuhlmannii (Taub.) Adema (treated here as a synonym). We are following the treatment by GRIN, which maintains the genus Xeroderris[].

Common Name:

General Information

Xeroderris stuhlmannii is a deciduous tree with a rounded or spreading crown and ascending branches; it can grow from 5 - 20 metres tall, exceptionally to 27 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 12 metres and up to 120cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of wood, fibre and tannin. Although potentially toxic, it is often used in traditional medicine and the seeds are an emergency source of food. The tree is sometimes planted to provide protection from the wind.

Known Hazards

The seeds are said to be toxic if eaten raw, but safe to eat if well cooked[].
Although they are used medicinally, root decoctions can reportedly have a violent action on the intestines, causing strong emesis and possibly causing loss of sight[].

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Senegal to Nigeria; eastTropical Africa - Kenya, eastern DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique.

Habitat

Various types of deciduous woodland, grassland, savannah and bushland, particularly on well-drained soils; in hot dry sandy country; at elevations up to 1,650 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant grows particularly on well-drained soils, also succeding on poor sandy soils[]. Established plants are drought resistant[].
The tree tolerates pruning, pollarding and coppicing[].
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

The seeds are eaten in times of food shortage, but only after prolonged cooking, since they are reported to be poisonous in the fresh condition[]. They are also ground to a powder to produce a meal[].

Medicinal

The bark is purgative. It is used in traditional medicine to treat coughs, colds, rheumatic arthritis, stomach-ache, dysentery, eye infections, wounds[].

The roots are vermifuge. A decoction is used as a treatment for internal parasites, elephantiasis, gonorrhoea, syphilis, dysmenorrhoea, chest pains and urinary complaints[].
A root decoction is applied externally against ringworm. The pounded roots are applied to sores[].

The leaves are used to treat colds, coughs, wounds, stomach problems, amenorrhoea, fever and malaria[].

Root decoctions have a reportedly violent action on the intestines, causing strong emesis and possibly causing loss of sight[].

Agroforestry Uses:

In Tanzania this plant is considered to be useful for wind breaks[].

Other Uses

The bark contains a fibre, which is sometimes used to make brooms[]

The bark is a source of tannins[].
The red bark exudate is sometimes used as a dye and for tanning[].

The heartwood is cream-coloured to dark yellow, occasionally with reddish streaks; it is not distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The grain is straight, rarely interlocked; texture moderately fine and even. The wood is heavy; fairly hard; moderately durable - it is susceptible to powder-post beetle attack, but not particularly to termite and pinhole borer attack. It air dries slowly, with considerable distortion but little checking; kiln drying gives best results. Once dry, the wood can be unstable in service. The surface of the wood can be given a smooth, lustrous finish; nailing, screwing and gluing properties are good. Due to the narrow lumen and thick walls, the fibres are rigid and the wood is not suitable for the production of good quality paper. The wood is used for furniture, railway sleepers, canoes, handles and utensils. It is used locally to make grain mortars and the branches are used for making roofs. The wood is suitable for heavy construction, flooring, vehicle bodies, sporting goods, interior trim, joinery, poles and piles, carving, toys and novelties, turnery, veneer and plywood[].
The wood is also used as fuel and for the production of charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - the germination rate is up to 70% within 2 weeks from sowing[].
Suckers[].

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