Description

A shrub or tree to 8 m high in the undergrowth of evergreen and deciduous forests of Sierra Leone to W Cameroons, and into E Cameroun and the Congo basin.The wood is yellow and hard, dense and tough. In Ghana it is used to make combs, shuttles for weaving and plane-blocks (3, 4, 6, 8); in Sierra Leone for combs (5); and in Ivory Coast canoe paddles and pestles (2) and sundry small objects (1).In Ivory Coast the plant is considered a general panacea for all ills by the coastal peoples. Of special application is the use by the Anyi of a decoction of the grated bark for stomach-pains, and a similar preparation by the Kyama for oedema of the legs due perhaps to kidney malfunction (2). Towards the Liberian frontier various parts of a Pleiocarpa sp. indet., which is perhaps this, are used as a pulp in frictions and ointments, and internally as a decoction or macerate as an antispasmodic and febrifuge (7).In Ghana the bitter roots are used for fever, jaundice and ‘yellow fever’ (Martinson fide 6).A number of alkaloids has been reported from the bark and roots (9).The plant has clusters of narrow tubular, sweet-scented flowers. It is ornamental and worthy of cultivation.

Description

A shrub or tree to 8 m high in the undergrowth of evergreen and deciduous forests of Sierra Leone to W Cameroons, and into E Cameroun and the Congo basin.The wood is yellow and hard, dense and tough. In Ghana it is used to make combs, shuttles for weaving and plane-blocks (3, 4, 6, 8); in Sierra Leone for combs (5); and in Ivory Coast canoe paddles and pestles (2) and sundry small objects (1).In Ivory Coast the plant is considered a general panacea for all ills by the coastal peoples. Of special application is the use by the Anyi of a decoction of the grated bark for stomach-pains, and a similar preparation by the Kyama for oedema of the legs due perhaps to kidney malfunction (2). Towards the Liberian frontier various parts of a Pleiocarpa sp. indet., which is perhaps this, are used as a pulp in frictions and ointments, and internally as a decoction or macerate as an antispasmodic and febrifuge (7).In Ghana the bitter roots are used for fever, jaundice and ‘yellow fever’ (Martinson fide 6).A number of alkaloids has been reported from the bark and roots (9).The plant has clusters of narrow tubular, sweet-scented flowers. It is ornamental and worthy of cultivation.