NAME: Canarium schweinfurthii
FAMILY: Burseraceae
COMMON NAMES: African Elemi, aiele,bush candle tree
LOCAL NAMES: Origbo, Paapo, agbabubu, atile, Mbiji
MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: is a large, evergreen fruit producing forest tree. Height exceeding 50 m.
USEFUL PART(s): Bark, seed, fruit
GENERAL USES:
The seeds are edible
The resin is used as a fumigant against mosquitoes
The bark of young trees is split off in Gabon to make boxes
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
Senegal, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria and Angola.
WHY IS IT GREEN?
Black tongue
round worm
gonorrhea
stomach disorders
leprosy
ulcers
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Unknown
FUN FACT
Because of similarities in their fruit and leaves, African elemi may be confused with Dacryodes edulis.
FURTHER READING
Aji, M. M., Gutti, B., Highina, B. K., & Kyari, S. A. (2015). Soxhlet Extraction and Characterization of Oil From Schweinfurthii ( Black Date ) Fruits for Domestic Purpose. Applied Research Journal.
Jazet Dongmo, P. M., Tchoumbougnang, F., Ndongson, B., Agwanande, W., Sandjon, B., Amvam Zollo, P. H., & Menut, C. (2010). Chemical characterization, antiradical, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the essential oils of Canarium schweinfurthii and Aucoumea klaineana (Burseraceae) growing in Cameron. Agric.Biol.J.North America.
Koudou, J., Abena, A. A., Ngaissona, P., & Bessière, J. M. (2005). Chemical composition and pharmacological activity of essential oil of Canarium schweinfurthii. Fitoterapia. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2005.06.004