Ethnobotany of Some Selected Medicinal Plants

Ofori, D. A., Gyimah, A., Obiri-Darko, B.,

Adam, K. A., Addae, A. and Jimoh, S.O.

Technical Note No. 4 July 2011

FORESTRY RESEARCH

INSTITUTE OF GHANA

(FORIG)

Ethnobotany of Some Selected Medicinal Plants

Ofori, D. A., Gyimah, A., Obiri-Darko, B.,

Adam, K. A., Addae, A. and Jimoh, S.O.

Contact

The Director, CSIR –FORIG

University P. O. Box 63, KNUST/Kumasi Ghana

Tel: 233-03220-60123/60373

Fax: 233-03220-60121

Email: director@csir-forig.org.gh

c Copyright CSIR-FORIG, 2011

Editorial Team

Dr. Ernest Foli Editor

Dr. Paul Bosu Editor

Mr. Bukari Darimani Secretary

Mrs. Naomi Appiah Member

—iii—

Contents

Introduction 1

Objectives of Study 2

Methodology 2

Ethnobotanical Information on the Species Studied 5

Kigelia africana 6

Securidaca longepedunculata 8

Morinda lucuida 10

Pycnanthus angolensis 12

Alstonia boonei 14

Khaya senegalensis 16

Rauwolfia vomitora 19

Tamarindus indica 21

Xanthoxylum xanthoxyloides 23

Vitellaria paradoxa 25

Conclusion 27

References 28

—iv—

—1—

Introduction

Access to healthcare facilities in Ghana is very poor as one medical doctor is to

more than 6,000 people (Africapedia, 2007), with majority of them practicing

in the two largest cities of Accra and Kumasi. According to Gbile (1988) about

80% of the population in Africa uses plant medicine partly due to poverty and

insufficient number of medical professionals. Medicinal plants therefore play an

important role in our healthcare delivery but over-reliance on wild collections

results in dwindling of the resource. The current rate of forest degradation,

intensive exploitation and utilization of the various medicinal plants across the

West African sub region pose serious threats to the continued availability of

these invaluable forest resources.

Indigenous knowledge on the utilization and conservation of these species

are being lost as the old custodians of the knowledge pass away. Also, parts

of the plants often harvested are those used for anchorage, nutrient uptake,

photosynthesis and regeneration by the plants. These threaten the plants

natural regeneration, vigorous stand development and continuous existence

of the species in natural ecosystem. There is therefore the need for deliberate

and concerted efforts to develop appropriate conservation and sustainable

management strategies for threatened or endangered medicinal plant species.

The selected species were identified through a major study that involved a

comparative analysis on utilization and availability of medicinal plants in Ghana

(Ofori et al., 2010).

This handbook therefore describes ten threatened or endangered medicinal

plant species in relation to the species identity, ecology and distribution, uses,

reproduction and propagation methods for efficient conservation.

—2—

Objectives of Study

The main objective of the study was to identify ten threatened/endangered

medicinal plant species in Ghana and develop methods for their propagation

and conservation. The specific objectives were:

1. Documentation of indigenous information (formal and informal)

on the ten selected threatened/endangered medicinal plants through

ethno-botanical studies.

2. Assess their distribution, relative abundance and study the phenology

of the ten selected species.

3. Develop appropriate methods for seed germination and rapid

multiplication of their germplasms through vegetative propagation

by cuttings.

4. Conserve the germplasms of the ten selected medicinal plants in live

gene banks using ex-situ conservation approaches.

Methodology

The study was structured to cover a socio-economic survey, ecological survey,

phenology, propagation and germplasm conservation.

Socio-economic Survey

The socio-economic survey covered eight regions (Western, Eastern, Ashanti,

Brong Ahafo, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Northern Regions) spanning

across 4 of the 5 major ecological zones of Ghana, i.e. Wet Evergreen Forest,

Moist semi-deciduous Forest S/E and N/W, Forest-Savannah Transition and

Coastal Savannah.

Data on sources of supply, uses and availability were collected from 3 major

groups of respondents i.e. medicinal plant suppliers, marketers and traditional

medicine practitioners in one on one interviews.

Distribution and Relative Abundance

Based on the socio-economic survey, ten medicinal plants were selected

based on their importance, vulnerability and occurrence. The distribution

and abundance of these medicinal plant species were studied. This involved

the setting up of sample quadrats in selected communities where the socioeconomic

study pointed out as their origin. These included Pra Anum in the

Moist semi-deciduous forest, Winneba in the Southern marginal forest, Sunyani

—3—

forest District in the Dry semi-deciduous forest, Kintampo district in the forestsavannah

transition zone and Tamale district in the Guinea savannah woodland

(Figure 1).

Figure 1: Map of Ghana showing the sample sites marked with rectangles (Red =

savannah woodland site near Tamale; Blue = derived savannah near Kintampo;

light green= Dry semi-deciduous forests near Sunyani; leaf green = Moist semideciduous

forest at Pra Anum; Orange = Southern marginal forest near Winneba).

The target population was the medicinal plants found within sample plots. The

quadrats were randomly located within different ecosystem units within each

ecological zone. Using the plot size of 20 x 50 metres all plants of 5 cm diameter

and greater were recorded and in sub-plots of 10 x 5 m seedlings (below 1 m

height) and saplings (> 1 metre high and < 5 cm diameter) were also recorded.

Data collected included the frequency and distribution of target medicinal plant

species and the threats to their survival in the various vegetation and land use

—4—

areas. The land use areas sampled constituted forest reserves, sacred grooves,

and farmlands.

Phenology Morphology and Propagation Studies

The morphology and phenology of the species were studied. Seeds were also

collected from trees in at least two different populations/ecological zones. Seeds

were extracted, germinated and seedlings raised for establishment of ex-situ

conservation plots. Vegetative propagation using stem cuttings was also studied.

Cuttings were collected from coppiced shoots and/or seedlings for species from

which no seeds were obtained or seedlings were in small quantities (Securidaca

longepedunculata, Xanthoxylum xanthoxyloides, Vitellaria paradoxa). For these

species cuttings were taken from branchlets on top of the trees. The cuttings

were of 6 cm long with 25 cm2 pieces of leaves retained on them.

The bases of the cuttings were applied with 0.25% Indole 3-butyric acid (auxin)

and the rooting ability was compared with the control (no rooting hormone).

Germplasm Conservation

Two gene conservation plots (0.5 ha each) were set up; one in moist semideciduous

and another in dry semi-deciduous forest zones using eight of

the selected species. S. longepedunculata and Z. xanthoxyloides could not be

planted since neither seedlings nor cuttings could be produced. For each site

25 seedlings per species per two different populations were planted. Planting

distance was 2.5 m x 2.5 m. Ten seedlings per each species were also planted in

the arboretum at Bunso managed by the CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research

Institute. Information dissemination was undertaken through working with

herbal practitioners, Millennium Development Project, students, seminars and

radio broadcast.

—5—

Ethnobotanical Information on the Species Studied

—6—

Kigelia africana

Species Identity

Family: Bignoniaceae

Common Name: Sausage Tree

Vernacular names: Nufutene, Nana beretee, Etua, Nyakpe

(Ghana); Pandoro (Nigeria)

Botanical Description

Kigelia africana grows up to 17 m high.

Leaves are compound, pinnate with 7-11 leaflets. The leaves are usually

opposite or in whorls of three.

Flowers are pendulous, greenish outside and reddish brown within. The

flowers and fruits hang down from branches on long flexible stems

Fruits are up to 0.60 m long containing numerous seeds (Irvine, 1961).

—7—

Ecology and Distribution

It occurs throughout humid tropical Africa. It is mostly found in the

transition and dry semi-deciduous forests.

It is native of Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria (Irvine,

1961).

Threats

The use of the fruits, roots and bark for medicinal purposes is a potential

threat if measures are not put in place for regeneration of the plant.

Uses

Medicine: In Ghana the fruits are used for treating piles, constipation and

in- fertility. The root is for constipation and for tapeworm.

The roots and fruit are for waist pain and sexual weakness. The bark is used

as a remedy for rheumatism, dysentery and wounds.

Reproduction

In Ghana it flowers between January and March and fruits between May

and July.

Propagation Methods

Seed germination

Sowing medium: River sand.

Start of germination: 9 days after sowing. Germination period: 28 days.

Percentage germination: An average of 40%.

Rooting of cuttings

Rooting medium: unwashed river sand

Leaf number and area: 1 or 2 and about 40 cm2

Cutting length: 2 to 3 nodes

Number of weeks before rooting starts (with hormones): 2 weeks. Rooting

success (with hormones): 100% after 3 weeks. Rooting success (without

hormones): 100% after 3 weeks.

—8—

Securidaca longepedunculata

Species Identity

Family: Polygalaceae

Scientific Name: Securidaca longepedunculata

Vernacular Names: Kyiritoo, Aforo, Kpaliga, Kpelgy, Pεla (Ghana)

Botanical Description

Securidaca longepedunculata is a shrub and grows up to 12 m high. It has a

thick bark as well as thick roots. It is spiny, much branched, with an open

rather straggly looking crown. Leaves are alternate or clustered on dwarf

lateral branchlets. Leaves are simple, variable in size (1-5 x 0.5-2 cm) in shape,

oblong lanceolate, dark green with rounded apex. Flowers are reddish purple

and sweet scented. Its fruits have distinctive membranous wing that are up to

about 40mm that are large and flat with only one seed in them (Irvine, 1961).

—9—

Ecology and Distribution

It is found mostly in savannah areas where soils are sandy or rocky because

it is a good resistant to fire and sensitive to frost. Some can also be found in

forest fringes.

It is native of Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo,

Benin, Angola, Benin, Burundi, Chad, Cameroon, Botswana, Dr Congo,

Rwanda, Sudan, Niger, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Tanzania

(Irvine, 1961).

Reproduction

The flowers start to appear in May.

Fruits often hang on trees for many months and those that stay the longest

are said to germinate best.

Threat

Its medicinal use is high in demand as barck is always removed.

Uses

Wood: The wood is used for poles, firewood, charcoal, bows and arrows.

Food: The seeds and flowers are rich in oil.

Medicine: The roots are used to treat gonorrhea and syphilis. They are also

used to treat malaria, sleeping sickness, chest complains, sleeping sickness,

toothache, wound dressing, cough and snake bite. The seeds are for rheumatic

pains, headaches and feverish pains.

—10—

Morinda lucuida

Species Identity

Family: Rubiaceae

Common name: Brimstone Tree

Vernacular names: Konkroma, (Ghana), Oruwo (Nigeria)

Botanical Description

Morinda lucida often grows up to 17 m high with a dense crown from its

slender branches. Matured leaves are about 20×13 cm which is broadly

elliptic to broadly ovate, acuminate and entire.

Flowers are white and fragrant (Irvine, 1961).

Fruit head is lobed, about 1.5 cm in diameter and green when immature

turning brown to black when mature.

—11—

Ecology and Distribution

It is found in most forest types e.g. forest fringes and flooded areas. It is

native of Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Angola, Congo, and Sudan

(Irvine, 1961).

Threat

The plant is harvested for timber.

Uses

Wood: The wood is used for furniture, thatch houses, poles, canoes and

firewood. It is also used for red, yellow and green dyes.

Food: Fruits are eaten by hawks and moths, and also for seasoning drinks.

Medicine: Root, bark and leaves are used to treat malaria, typhoid fever,

gonorrhea, bone fracture, rheumatism, high blood pressure as well as

candidiasis in female.

Reproduction

It flowers from January to July as well as September to October.

Propagation Methods

Seed germination

Sowing medium: River sand.

Start of germination: 29 days after sowing. Germination period: 90 days.

Percentage germination: An average of 65%.

Rooting of cuttings

Rooting medium: Unwashed sand

Stock plant: coppice shoot

Leaf number and area: one or two and 40 cm2

Cutting length: 2 to 3 nodes

Number of weeks before rooting starts (with hormones): 4 weeks Number

of weeks before rooting starts (without hormones): 4 weeks

Rooting success (with hormones): 70% after 4 weeks. Rooting success

(without hormones): 45% after 4 weeks.

—12—

Pycnanthus angolensis

Species Identity

Family: Myristicaceae

Common Name: African nutmeg

Vernacular Name: Otie (Ghana)

Botanical Description

Pycnanthus angolensis grows up to 40 m high and 5 m in girth. The tree has

a straight bole with no buttresses. Crown is flat, branching at right angles to

stem and in whorls.

Leaves are up to 18 × 6 cm, acuminate and riddled with holes. Flowers are

in panicles without petals, with male and female flowers at separate parts of

the same tree.

Fruits are abundant and oblong up to 3.8 cm. The shell of the fruit is hard

and thick enclosing a single oval nut, scarlet when fresh and later brownish

black (Irvine, 1961).

—13—

Ecology and Distribution

It is mainly found in semi-deciduous and evergreen secondary for- est in

a more dispersed manner. It does not colonize in numbers but survive in

singles in forest gaps and clearings.

It is a native of Guinea, Ghana, Angola, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal,

Tanzania, Togo, Gabon, Chad, Congo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Uganda etc.

(Irvine, 1961).

Threat

It is classified as a major timber tree. Increased exploitation is therefore likely

to affect seed production and natural regeneration.

Uses

Wood: Roofing shingles, canoes, beds, house walls, door and window frames.

It is suitable for plywood, veneers cheap furniture, boxes and packing cases

or even paper pulp.

Medicine: The bark, the leaves and seeds are used to treat anemia, stomach

and menstrual disorders, tooth ache and as a blood tonic.

Reproduction

In Ghana flowering is from October to May and fruiting is from September

to April.

Propagation Methods

Seed germination

Sowing medium: River sand.

Start of germination: Between 26 to 29 days. Germination period: 60 days.

Germination percentage: An average of 64% of fruits which have not been

kept for more than 10 days after harvesting.

Rooting of cuttings

Rooting medium: unwashed river sand. Plant part: six month old seedlings.

Leaf number and area: one or two and 40 cm2.

Cutting length: 2 or 3 nodes.

Rooting success (with hormones): 25% after 23 weeks. Rooting success

(without hormones): 15% after 23 weeks.

—14—

Alstonia boonei

Species Identity

Family: Apocynaceae

Scientific Names: Alstonia boonei

Vernacular Names: Osen nuru, Onyame dua, Bakunin,

Nyamelele Baka, Siakεtεkrε. (Ghana)

Botanical Description

Alstonia boonei is a large tree that grows up to 37 m high and 3 m in girth with

a tall clear bole and with high narrow buttresses. There are 4 to 7 leaves found

at each node with matured ones growing to about 25 × 8 cm (Irvine, 1961).

—15—

Ecology and Distribution

It is found in deciduous forest, partial to swampy land and also in fringing

forest. Found in dry, peripheral, semi evergreen, Guinea- Congolian forest

and transitional forest. It is native of Gambia, Mali, Congo, Sudan, Ghana,

and Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Sierra

Leone and Uganda, Togo, Benin, etc. (Irvine, 1961).

Threat

The plant is classified as a major timber tree. Increased exploitation is likely to

affect seed production and natural regeneration.

Uses

Wood: The wood is used for boxes, veneer, moulding and matches. It is also

used for wooden shoes, carving images, drums, canoes, devil masks plates,

spoons, stools, bowls, and basins.

Medicine: In Ghana the bark and leaves are used to treat malaria, stomach

disorders, measles, waist and body pains, hernia and as a blood tonic.

Reproduction

In Ghana flowering is in October and November. Flowers are small and

white. Fruits come in pairs with long thin follicles up to 46 cm. Fruits mature

in January and February.

Propagation Methods

Seed germination

Germination medium: River sand. Start of germination: 10 days. Germination

period: 40 days. Percentage germination: 66%. Rooting of Cuttings

Rooting medium: Unwashed river sand. Plant part: coppice shoot

Leaf number and area: One or two and 40 cm2.

Cutting length: 2 - 3 nodes.

Number of weeks before rooting starts (with hormones): 7 weeks Number of

weeks before rooting starts (without hormones): 7 weeks

Rooting success (with hormones): 65% after 12 weeks

Rooting success (without hormones): 50% after 12 weeks

—16—

Khaya senegalensis

Species Identity

Family: Meliaceae

Scientific Name: Khaya senegalensis

Common Name: Mahogany

Vernacular Name: Kuka (Ghana)

Botanical Description

The tree grows up to a height of about 15-20 m in savannah areas and in

fertile and deep soils reaching 34 m high and 3 m in girth. It divides from 6

m into 2 or 3 large limbs giving it a wider crown. The bark is grey in colour

and very scaly. The leaves are compound, pinnate, leaflet 4 to 6 pairs .(Irvine,

1961)

—17—

Ecology and Distribution

It is found in Savannah zone. It is common in Senegal, Gambia, Ghana, Togo,

Benin, Nigeria, Mali, northern Cameroon, southern Sudan and Uganda

(Irvine, 1961).

Threat

The bark of the trunk is usually removed for medicinal purposes exposing the

trees to pathogens.

Uses

Wood: It is used for furniture, railway carriages, construction, interior

decoration, and veneer. Bark yields a brown dye.

Leaves: As fodder for feeding cattle. The ash is used as a preservative for

millet seeds.

Medicine: The root and bark are used in Ghana for treating fever, menstrual

disorders, gastric pains, stomach ache, syphilis, leprosy, allergies, jaundice,

dermatitis, chicken pox, tape worms, inflammation of the gum and diarrhoea.

In animals it is used to treat liver fluke in cattle, ulcer and other internal

ailment in horses, camels and donkeys.

Reproduction

It flowers between February and March. Fruits mature from December

to January.

Propagation Methods

Seed germination

Sowing medium: River sand.

Start of germination: 7 to 9 days after sowing. Germination period: 42 days.

Percentage germination: An average of 74%

Rooting of Cuttings

Rooting medium: unwashed river sand. Plant part: six month old seedlings.

Leaf number and area: One or two and 40 cm2.

Cutting lengths: 2 to 3 nodes.

—18—

Number of weeks before rooting starts (with hormone): 3 weeks Number

of weeks before rooting starts (without hormone): 5 weeks Rooting success

(with hormone): 100% after 10 weeks

Rooting success (without hormone): 70% after 10 weeks

—19—

Rauwolfia vomitora

Species Identity

Family: Apocynaceae

Scientific Name: Rauwolfia vomitoria

Vernacular Name:Kakapenpen, Bakaεmbe, Dodemkpowoe (Ghana)

Botanical Description

It is a shrub that grows up to 7 m high; leaves 18 cm × 8cm, narrowly ovate,

acutely acuminate.

Flowers are in whorls 3-4 at a node, white and numerous. Fruits are solitary

or pair, scarlet and spherical containing large seeds (Irvine, 1961).

Ecology and Distribution

It is common in secondary forests of both moist and dry semi- deciduous

forest. It is native of Senegal, Liberia, Ghana Togo, Benin, Congo, Uganda,

Sudan and East Africa (Irvine, 1961).

—20—

Threats

Exploitation of barks, roots leaves and seeds for medicinal purposes is likely

to affect natural regeneration.

Uses

Medicine: The bark, roots, leaves and seeds are used for medicine. It is

used for jaundice and gastrointestinal conditions and for convulsions. The

decoction is used as a sedative for madness which induces several hours of

sleep. The macerated root is used with guinea-grains in gin as aphrodisiac.

The powdered roots are applied to snake bite. The roots are used for urethral

discharge and treating of gonorrhea. It is administered to persons poisoned

through food to induce vomiting. It is prescribed for swollen feet, yaws on

the skin, hernia, bone dislocation and rheumatism.

Reproduction

Rauwolfia vomitoria flowers from February to April. Fruits mature from May

to July.

Propagation Methods

Seed germination

Sowing media: River sand

Start of germination: 54 days.

Germination period: 90 days. Percentage germination: 60% Rooting of

cuttings

Rooting medium: unwashed river sand

Leaf number and area: One or two and 40 cm2

Cutting length: 2 or 3 nodes

Number of weeks before rooting starts (with hormones): 4 weeks

Number of weeks before rooting starts (without hormones): 4 weeks.

Rooting success (with hormones): 95% Rooting success (without hormones):

80%

—21—

Tamarindus indica

Species Identity

Family: Caesalpiniaceae

Scientific Name: Tamarindus indica

Vernacular Name: Oson, Taamerese, Blofo Yoyiteo, Puro,

Yeuut-sitoe, Puhuga (Ghana)

Botanical Description

Tamarindus indica is an evergreen tree that grows up to a height of about

30 m and about 2 m in diameter. It has a dense crown and compound leaves

which are pinnate. Leaflets are 12-15 pairs, un- usually round at the base.

Flowers are yellowish with red stripes in small terminal racemes. Fruits are

oblong pods about 5-10 cm long and 2 cm wide. A pod contains 1-10 seed

surrounded by sweet edible substance, generally riddled with insects (Irvine,

1961).

Ecology and Distribution

It is found in the Savannah zones of Ghana and belts around the Volta River

in Ghana.

—22—

Tamarindus is widely distributed in the tropics, probably originally native of

Africa and other continents (Irvine, 1961).

Threat

The fruits are harvested and processed into drinks. All such seeds are destroyed

during processing, reducing seed availability for natural regeneration.

Uses

Medicine: In Ghana it is used for dressing circumcision cuts and other

wounds. It is drunk by women after childbirth which is good for bronchitis

and as a laxative. It is also used in treating boils, pimples, jaundice, diarrhea,

dysentery, rheumatism, etc.

Reproduction

Tamarindus flowers from January up to April. It fruits in March, July

and December.

Propagation Methods

Seed germination

Germination medium: River sand.

Start of germination: 10 days after sowing. Germination period: 40 days.

Percentage germination: 66%.

Rooting of Cuttings

Rooting medium: Unwashed river sand.

Plant part: coppice shoot

Leaf number and area: One or two and 40 cm2. Cutting length: 2 - 3 nodes.

Number of weeks before rooting starts (with hormones): 7 weeks Number

of weeks before rooting starts (without hormones):7 weeks Rooting success

(with hormones): 65% after 12 weeks

Rooting success (without hormones): 50% after 12 weeks

—23—

Xanthoxylum xanthoxyloides

Badly harvested

roots and bark

Species Identity

Family: Rutaceae

Vernacular Names: Kanto, Oyaa

Botanical Description

X. xanthoxyloides is a medium sized tree up to 20 m high and 1.8 m girth.

The bole has large woody thorns.

Leaves are pinnate with 3-4 pairs of shining aromatic leaflets, elliptic oblong.

Flowers are small, numerous, white and in dense terminal panicles. Fruits are

capsules about 4-5 mm diameter with one seed (Irvine, 1961).

Ecology and Distribution

It is found in semi-deciduous or moist evergreen forest zones. It is native of

Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin and Nigeria (Irvine, 1961).

Threat

Unsustainable methods of harvesting are usually used because roots, bark

and shoots are normally heavily destroyed during harvesting.

—24—

Uses

Medicine: The root is used for abdominal pains, ulcers and toothache. The

bark is used as enema, for eye diseases, for fever, laxative and stomach ache.

The root and bark are for rheumatism, post-delivery pain, cough,

hypertension, diabetes, bone fracture, family planning and urine retention.

Reproduction

Flowering is around June and fruiting is from December to March.

Propagation Methods

Seed germination

Seeds are difficult to obtain.

Rooting of cuttings

Rooting medium: unwashed river sand.

Plant part: branchlet of mature tree.

Leaf number and area: one or two 40 cm2

Cutting length: two or 3 nodes

Number of weeks before rooting starts (with hormones): no rooting

Number of weeks before rooting starts (without hormones): no rooting

Rooting success (with hormones): 0%

Rooting success (without hormones): 0%

Seedling and coppice shoots should be tested.

—25—

Vitellaria paradoxa

Species Identity

Family: Sapotaceae

Scientific Name: Vitellaria paradoxa

Common Name: Shea butter

Vernacular Names: Kra-Nnku, Nkudua, Kanku, Adompo,

Kudompo, Ngu, Nkuteo, Yokuti. (Ghana)

Botanical Description

It is a deciduous medium-sized tree which grows to a height of about 12

m and a diameter of 30-60 cm. It is characterized with a stout bole and a

large crown.

The leaves are found at the tips of the shoots and are 3 x 1 cm oblong with

wavy margins.

Flowers are creamy white and sweet scented.

Fruits are ellipsoid up to 6.5 cm long and 4.5 cm in diameter. The fruit has

a thick butter-like pericarp which is sweet and edible containing generally

one seed, sometimes 2 or occasionally up to 6 oval or round red brown seeds

(Irvine, 1961).

—26—

Ecology and Distribution

It is found in the savannah zone of Ghana.

It is native of Ghana to Nigeria as well as Senegal and Uganda. V. paradoxa

is indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa (Irvine, 1961).

Threats

It is known for producing quality charcoal and firewood. Seeds are

also harvested and processed for oil, reducing the availability for

natural regeneration.

Uses

Products and Food: Oil, local butter, margarine, soap, candle, pomade, dyes

Wood: hut poles, house posts, mortar, pestle, bowls, stools, charcoal.

Medicine: It is used in treating headache and cleaning of the eyes. It is also

used in most medicinal pomades and ointments for treating fractured joints.

Reproduction

The creamy white flowers appears in October-February during the dry

season and fruits in March- September in the rainy season.

Propagation Methods

Seed germination

Germination medium: river sand Start of germination: 70 days Germination

period: 120 days Percentage germination: 7%

Rooting of cutting

Rooting medium: unwashed river sand

Plant parts: branchlet of mature tree

Leaf number and area: one or two and 40 cm2

Cutting length: two or 3 nodes

Number of weeks before rooting starts (with hormones): no rooting Number

of weeks before rooting starts (without hormones): no rooting.

Rooting success (with hormones): 0% Rooting success (without hormones):

0% Seedling and coppice shoots should be tested.

—27—

Conclusion

Medicinal plants play major roles in human life including health, income and

cultural values and thus provide motivational forces for their conservation.

These ten valuable medicinal plant species have been identified in the West

African sub-region and their usefulness by herbal medicine practitioners

cannot be overemphasized. If we are able to nurture and propagate them and

also adhere to proper harvesting techniques, their availability may be sustained.

Seed maturity period as well as propagation methods have been documented.

We hope that this book becomes useful as various pieces of knowledge on

their occurrence, uses, threats and propagation have been put together in the

handbook. We then have to take good care of them so they in turn take care

of us.

—28—

References

Africapedia (2007) http://www.africapedia.com/wiki/index.php.

Burkill, H. M. (1994) Useful plants of West Tropical Africa. Vol. 2. Families E-I.

Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

Gbile, Z. O. (1988) Studies on Medicinal Plants. A lecture delivered at the

Meeting of Nigerian field society Ibadan 8pp.

Hamilton, A. (2008) Medicinal plants in conservation and development|: case

studies and lessons learnt. Plant life International, Salisbury, UK. Pp 85.

Irvine, F. R. (1961) Woody Plants of Ghana. Oxford University Press, Amen

House, London.

Ofori, D. A., Obiri-Darko, B., Gyimah, A., Adam, K. A., Addae, A (2010)

Ethnobotany and conservation of some selected medicinal plants in West

Africa. Final Report submitted to African Forestry Research Network

(AFORNET), Pp 24

Taylor C. J. (1960) Synecology and silviculture in Ghana.

 

http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/publications/PDFs/B17263.PDF