B

Butyrospermum paradoxum

butyrospermum-paradoxum2.jpg

NAME:  Butyrospermum paradoxum

FAMILY: Sapotaceae

COMMON NAMES: Shea butter tree, Vitellaria paradoxa, karate, Kadanya, lulu

LOCAL NAMES: Emi-emi, emi,Osisi,Ka'danya

USEFUL PART(s): Seeds

GENERAL USES:

  • It is used for cosmetics as emollient

  • It serves as food and used in cooking

  • The oil is used in making soap and candle and used for chocolate cream

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION\

  • Burkina Faso

  • Ghana

  • Nigeria

  • Sudan

  • Senegal

  • Uganda

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Butyrospermum paradoxum medicinal values include

  • Nasal decongestion and cattarhal condition

  • anthelmintic

  • hypertension

  • diuretic

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • Butyrospermum paradoxum is a small deciduous tree usually about 7-15 m tall, but may reach 25 m and a bole diameter up to 2 m.

  • The bark is suberose, leaves are oblong and fruits are ellipsoidal

FURTHER READINGS

Ajayi, I. A., Raji, A. A., & Ogunkunle, E. O. (2015). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from seed extracts of Cyperus esculentus and Butyrospermum paradoxum. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences Ver. I, 10(4), 2319–7676. https://doi.org/10.9790/3008-10417690

Tapondjou, L. A., Nyaa, L. B. T., Tane, P., Ricciutelli, M., Quassinti, L., Bramucci, M., … Barboni, L. (2011). Cytotoxic and antioxidant triterpene saponins from Butyrospermum parkii (Sapotaceae). Carbohydrate Research, 346(17), 2699–2704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2011.09.014

Butea frondosa

Butea frondosa

NAME:  Butea frondosa

FAMILY: Papilionaceae

COMMON NAMES: Flame of the forest, Bastard Teak, بو تيه  Bûtîyah, Butée à une graine,

LOCAL NAMES: Palash, Kinshuk

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, Bark, Flowers, seeds

GENERAL USES:

  • The leaves can be used to feed farm animal

  • The wood can be used  in carpentry

  • The plant is used in beautifying the environment

  • The gum of the tree is used in cooking dishes

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • India

  • Nigeria

  • Bangladesh

  • Nepal

  • Sri Lanka

  • Myanmar

  • Thailand

  • Laos

  • Cambodia

  • Malaysia

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Butea frondosa medicinal values include

  • Aphorodisiac

  • Astringent

  • Diuretic

  • Diabetes

  • Leucorrhoea

  • Antiseptic

  • Anthelmintic

  • Cough

  • Cold

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • Ornamental value

FUN FACT

  • Butea frondosa is a slowing growing moderate-sized deciduous tree, growing up to 49 ft tall.

·         it is called after the Earl of Bute, a patron of botany.

FURTHER READINGS

Das, C., Dash, S., & Sahoo, D. C. (2012). Pharmacognostical and phytochemical investigation of Butea frondosa linn. bark. Der Pharmacia Lettre, 4(2), 475–482.

Goswami, S. K., Inamdar, M. N., Pandre, M. K., Jamwal, R., & Dethe, S. (2013). Erectogenic and aphrodisiac effects of butea frondosa koenig ex roxb. in Rats: Involvement of enzyme inhibition. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/874894

Malik, J., Kumar, M., Deshmukh, R., & Kumar, P. (2013). Ameliorating effect of lyophilized extract of Butea frondosa leaves on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. Pharmaceutical Biology, 51(2), 233–239. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2012.717229

Burkea Africana

Burkea Africana.jpg

 NAME:  Burkea africana

FAMILY: Caesalpiniaceae

COMMON NAMES: Burkea,wild seriga

LOCAL NAMES: Apasa, orusi, Fula-Fulfulde

USEFUL PART(s): Bark, twigs

GENERAL USES:

  • The wood of the plant is used for heavy construction, flooring, furniture, railway sleepers, poles and so on

  • The wood is used for firewood and to produce charcoal

  • Young leaves and flower are edible and are eaten as vegetables

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Senegal

  • Sudan

  • Uganda

  • Namibia

  • Botswana

  • Mozambique

  • South Africa

  • Nigeria

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Burkea africana medicinal values include

  • Septic sores

  • Headache

  • Astringent

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Catarrh

  • Pneumonia

  • menorrhoea

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • Burkea africana is a  deciduous, attractive tree normally with a scattered, flat crown mainly reaching 10 m tall;  sometimes low shrub, rarel specimens can be about 20 m

  • It is common in deciduous woodland and in wooded grass-like vegetation  at elevations from 40 - 1,740 m

FURTHER READINGS

Eboji, O., Spies, L., Sowemimo, A., Koekemoer, T., Sofidiya, M., & Van de Venter, M. (2016). Cytotoxic Activity Of The Ethanolic Extract Of The Bark Of Burkea Africana Hook. (Caesalpinaceae). Planta Medica, 82(5), PC73. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1578775

Eboji, O., Venables, L., Sowemimo, A. A., Sofidiya, M. O., Koekemoer, T., & Van de Venter, M. (2017). Burkea africana Hook (Caesalpiniaceae) ethanolic extract causes cell cycle arrest at M phase and induces caspase dependent apoptosis. South African Journal of Botany, 112, 361–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2017.06.013

Buchholzia coriacea

Buchholzia coriacea

NAME:  Buchholzia coriacea

FAMILY: Sterculiaceae

COMMON NAMES: Wonderful kola, oignon de gorille

LOCAL NAMES: Uworo, obi-ata

USEFUL PART(s): Fruit, bark

GENERAL USES:

  • The fruits are most times consumed after boiling

  • The seed is chewed as a replacement for kola nuts

  • The wood is at times used in house construction.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Guinea

  • Sierra Leone

  • Cameroon

  • Gabon

  • Ivory Coast

  • Nigeria

  • Ghana

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Buchholzia coriacea medicinal values include

  • Antimicrobials

  • Respiratory disorders

  • Dysmenorrhoea

  • Ulcer

  • Fibroid

  • Chest pains

  • Anthelminthics

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • Buchholzia coriacea is an evergreen undergrowth tree of the lowland rain-forest about to 20 metres tall, ranging from Guinea to West Cameroons, and in East Cameroun and Gabon.

  • The seeds have peppery taste

FURTHER READINGS

Ezike, A. C., Onyeto, C. A., Nwabunike, I. A., Mbaoji, F. N., Attah, B. E., Amanambu, S. O., & Okoli, C. O. (2015). Anti-inflammatory activity of Buchholzia coriacea Engl. (Capparaceae) leaf extract: Evaluation of components of the inflammatory response involved. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 12(2), 153–158. https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2014-0046

Ijarotimi, O. S., Malomo, S. A., Fagbemi, T. N., Osundahunsi, O. F., & Aluko, R. E. (2018). Structural and functional properties of Buchholzia coriacea seed flour and protein concentrate at different pH and protein concentrations. Food Hydrocolloids, 74, 275–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2017.08.018

Salami, A. T., Odukanmi, O. A., Faniyan, O. F., Omayone, T. P., & Olaleye, S. B. (2017). Seeds of Buchholzia coriacea in Diet Mitigate Ischemic Reperfusion–Induced Gastric Ulceration in Experimental Rats. Journal of Dietary Supplements, pp. 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2017.1404544

Brysocarpus coccineus

Brysocarpus coccineus.jpg

NAME:  Brysocarpus coccineus

FAMILY: Connaraceae

COMMON NAMES: Crimson thyme

LOCAL NAMES: Amuje wewe, ade,Kimbar maharbe,Oka abole,Mgba apepea

USEFUL PART(s): Root, leaves

GENERAL USES:

  • The plant is use to decorate the environment

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Nigeria

  • Togo

  • Ghana

  • Senegal

  • Guinea Bissau

  • Sierra Leone

  • Ivory coast

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Brysocarpus coccineus medicinal values include

  • Jaundice

  • Pile

  • Gonorrhea

  • venereal disease

  • impotence

  • anti-tumour

  • ulcer

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • Ornamental value

FUN FACT

  • Brysocarpus coccineus is a climbing  woody vine of savanna copse and secondary jungle, widely distributed from Guinea to West Cameroons, and in other parts of tropical Africa

FURTHER READINGS

Adedosu, O. T., Adejoke, T. T., Salako, O. O., & Olorunsogo, O. O. (2012). Effects of extracts of the leaves of brysocarpus coccineus on rat liver mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MMPT) pore. Afr J Med Med Sci, 41 Suppl, 125–132. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23678647

Couturier, M., Navarro, D., Chevret, D., Henrissat, B., Piumi, F., Ruiz-Dueñas, F. J., … Rosso, M. N. (2015). Enhanced degradation of softwood versus hardwood by the white-rot fungus Pycnoporus coccineus. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-015-0407-8

Szymańska, R., & Kruk, J. (2013). Activity of tocopherol oxidase in Phaseolus coccineus seedlings. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 35(8), 2539–2545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-013-1289-7

Bryoria Africana

Bryoria Africana

NAME:   Bryoria africana

FAMILY: Cucurbitaceae

COMMON NAMES: Roots

LOCAL NAMES:

USEFUL PART(s): Roots

GENERAL USES:

  • The plan is primarily used for its medicinal value

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Nigeria

  • Cameroon

  • Ghana

  • Togo

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Bryoria africana medicinal values include

  • Purgative

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • Bryoria africana is a plant native to Africa

FURTHER READINGS

Boluda, C. G., Divakar, P. K., Hawksworth, D. L., Villagra, J., & Rico, V. J. (2015). Molecular studies reveal a new species of Bryoria in Chile. The Lichenologist, 47(6), 387–394. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0024282915000298

Nadyeina, O., Cornejo, C., Boluda, C. G., Myllys, L., Rico, V. J., Crespo, A., & Scheidegger, C. (2014). Characterization of Microsatellite Loci in Lichen-Forming Fungi of Bryoria Section Implexae (Parmeliaceae). Applications in Plant Sciences, 2(7), 1400037. https://doi.org/10.3732/apps.1400037

Bryophyllum pinnatum

Bryophyllum pinnatum.jpg

NAME: Bryophyllum pinnatum  

FAMILY: Crassulaceae

COMMON NAMES: Resurrection plant, cathedral bells, life plant, Mariyaphilan

LOCAL NAMES: Eru-odundun, abomoda, Panfuti

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, roots, leaf sap

GENERAL USES:

  • The plant is use for its medicinal value

  • It is also use to decorate the environment

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Madagascar

  • Hawaii

  • India

  • Phillipines

  • Australia

  • New Zealand

  • Indonesia

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Bryophyllum pinnatum medicinal values include

  • Cough

  • Diarrhea

  • Dysentery

  • Wounds

  • Fever

  • Diuretic

  • abscesses,

  • antifungal

  • epilepsy

  • antimicrobial

  • anticancer

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • Ornamental value

  • Invasive plant

  • Environmental weed

FUN FACT

  • Bryophyllum pinnatum is a long-lived, succulent non woody plant with erect stems usually growing up to 1.2m high, but can reach up to 2 m at times.

  • Leaves are simple or compound, with three or five small plant leaves.

  • Poisonous to both man and animal

FURTHER READINGS

Braz, D. C., Oliveira, L. R. S., & Viana, A. F. S. C. (2013). Atividade antiulcerogênica do extrato aquoso da Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Kurz. Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, 15(1), 86–90. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-05722013000100012

Chibli, L. A., Rodrigues, K. C. M., Gasparetto, C. M., Pinto, N. C. C., Fabri, R. L., Scio, E., … Sousa, O. V. (2014). Anti-inflammatory effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken ethanol extract in acute and chronic cutaneous inflammation. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 154(2), 330–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.03.035

Lambrigger-Steiner, C., Simões-Wüst, A. P., Kuck, A., Fürer, K., Hamburger, M., & Von Mandach, U. (2014). Sleep quality in pregnancy during treatment with Bryophyllum pinnatum: An observational study. Phytomedicine, 21(5), 753–757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2013.11.003

Brunfelsia uniflora

Brunfelsia uniflora.jpg

NAME:  Brunfelsia uniflora

FAMILY: Solanaceae

COMMON NAMES: Manacá

LOCAL NAMES:

USEFUL PART(s): Roots

GENERAL USES:

  • Oil derived from the flower is use in making perfume

  • The plant is also used for its medicinal value

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Brazil

  • Bolivia

  • Peru

  • Ecuador

  • Colombia

  • Venezuela

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Brunfelsia uniflora medicinal values include

  • Aphorodisiacs

  • Abortifacient

  • antirheumatic

  • anaesthetic,

  • blood cleanser

  • diaphoretic

  • diuretic

  • emetic

  • emmenagogue

  • laxative

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

·         Ornamental value

FUN FACT

  • Brunfelsia uniflora is a moderate-sized, evergreen woody or small tree with scattered branches; it normally grows 0.5 - 3 metres high, but at times growing up to 8 metres

  • The whole plant contains a very toxic alkaloid known as manacine; extract from the root is used as part of arrows poison.

FURTHER READINGS

Graham, J., & Janovec, J. (2016). A remarkable new species of Brunfelsia (Solanaceae) from the eastern Andes of Central Peru. PhytoKeys, 75, 81–91. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.75.10759

Jorge, L. F., Meniqueti, A. B., Silva, R. F., Santos, K. A., Da Silva, E. A., Gonçalves, J. E., … Linde, G. A. (2017). Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of oleoresin from leaves and flowers of brunfelsia uniflora. Genetics and Molecular Research, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr16039714

Thiesen, L. C. T., Sugauara, E. Y. Y., Tešević, V., Glamočlija, J., Soković, M., Gonçalves, J. E., … Colauto, N. B. (2017). Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Brunfelsia uniflora flower oleoresin extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide. Genetics and Molecular Research, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr16029548

Brucea antidysenterica

brucea.jpg

NAME:  Brucea antidysenterica

FAMILY:  Simaroubaceae

COMMON NAMES: bitter bark tree

LOCAL NAMES: aballo, m'fankta

USEFUL PART(s): Root bark

GENERAL USES:

  • The plant is used for its medicinal value

  • The wood is used as firewood and for construction in roof

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Guinea

  • Nigeria

  • Ethiopia

  • Angola

  • Malawi

  • Zambia

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Brucea antidysenterica medicinal values include

  • Cancer

  • Dysentery

  • Anthelmintic

  • Fever

  • Diarrhea

  • Indigestion

  • stomach-ache

FUN FACT

  • Brucea antidysenterica is a monoecious woody or small tree about 7 m tall used in local medicine

  • The fruit is bitter and said to be poisonous to farm animal

FURTHER READINGS

Chen, M., Chen, R., Wang, S., Tan, W., Hu, Y., Peng, X., & Wang, Y. (2012). Chemical components, pharmacological properties, and nanoparticulate delivery systems of Brucea javanica. International Journal of Nanomedicine. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S31636

Dong, S. H., Liu, J., Ge, Y. Z., Dong, L., Xu, C. H., Ding, J., & Yue, J. M. (2013). Chemical constituents from Brucea javanica. Phytochemistry, 85, 175–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2012.08.018

Kefe, A., Giday, M., Mamo, H., & Erko, B. (2016). Antimalarial properties of crude extracts of seeds of Brucea antidysenterica and leaves of Ocimum lamiifolium. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1098-9

Brillantaisia patula

1200px-Brillantaisia_owariensis,_blare,_Manie_van_der_Schijff_BT_2.jpg

NAME:  Brillantaisia patula

FAMILY: Acanthaceae

COMMON NAMES: Brillantaisia

LOCAL NAMES: Owo, lementoko, iwèlè-wèlè

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves

GENERAL USES:

  • It is use to beautify the environment

  • It is also used for its medicinal value

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Cameroon

  • Congo

  • Uganda

  • Angola

  • Nigeria

  • Gabon

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Brillantaisia patula medicinal values include

  • Yaws

  • Diarrhea

  • Ease labour

  • Dysmenorrhoea

  • Chest pain

  • Convulsion

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • Ornamental

FUN FACT

  • Brillantaisia patula is strong woody plant up to 6-10 ft. high; it can be from Togo to West Cameroons and across the Congo basin to Uganda and Angola.

  • It has relatively great size violet-purple flowers; the upper lip is yellow and purple-blotched.

FURTHER READINGS

Faparusi, F., Bello-Akinosho, M. M., Oyede, R. T., Adewole, A., Bankole, P. O., & Ali, F. F. (2012). Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of Brillantaisia patula leaf. Research Journal of Phytochemistry, 6(1), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.3923/rjphyto.2012.9.16

Olufunke, M. D., Zaki, F. U., & Adeleke, O. (2009). Esse ntial oils of stem and leaf from nigerian brillantaisia patula t. and. var. Journal of Essential Oil-Bearing Plants, 12(5), 569–573. https://doi.org/10.1080/0972060X.2009.10643759

Bridelia micrantha

euph_bridelia_micrantha_14_guebau_238_19a603.jpg

NAME:  Bridelia micrantha

FAMILY: Euphorbiaceae

COMMON NAMES: Mitzeeri sweetberry, Yoruba ironwood, mwiza

LOCAL NAMES: Isa,asa,Oga ofia,Edede

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, roots,bark

GENERAL USES:

  • The wood is used for furniture, poles, mortars, spoons and tool handles.

  • It also serve as fuel and for charcoal production

  • The leaves are fed to farm animals

  • The fruits are edible and sweet

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Togo

  • Rwanda

  • Mali

  • Malawi

  • Kenya

  • Central Africa Republic

  • Tanzania

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Bridelia micrantha medicinal values include

  • Laxative

  • Headache

  • Migraine

  • Cough

  • Diarrhoea

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • Bridelia micrantha is a medium to tall, deciduous or evergreen tree reaching 20 m high with a thick spreading canopy; leaves are simple, large and alternate.

  • They are found growing along forest margins, in coastal forests, swamp forest and woodland.

FURTHER READINGS

Adesina, J. M., Ileke, K. D., Yallappa, R., & Ofuya, T. I. (2016). Insecticidal evaluation of bridelia micrantha and dalbergia lactea aqueous extracts for the control of podagrica uniforma (Jacoby) and nisotra dilecta (Jacoby) (Coleoptera: Chysomelidae) infestation on okra. Agrivita, 38(3), 269–274. https://doi.org/10.17503/agrivita.v38i3.845

Maroyi, A. (2017). Ethnopharmacology and therapeutic value of Bridelia micrantha (Hochst.) Baill. in tropical Africa: A comprehensive review. Molecules. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22091493

Mburu, C., Kareru, P., Kipyegon, C., Madivoli, E., Maina, E., Kairigo, P., … Marikah, D. (2016). Phytochemical Screening of Crude Extracts of Bridelia micrantha. European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 16(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.9734/EJMP/2016/26649

 

Brillantaisia nitens

NAME: Brillantaisia nitens  

FAMILY: Acanthaceae

COMMON NAMES: Tropical Giant Sage

LOCAL NAMES: Ogwumadibia, pedjindo, bolobolo,

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves

GENERAL USES:

  • Extracts from the leaves can be use in making soaps

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Sierra Leone

  • Ghana

  • Guinea

  • Nigeria

  • Cameroon

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Brillantaisia nitens  medicinal values include

  • Diarrhoea

  • pain-killers

  • ear treatments

  • antiaborifacients

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • Brillantaisia nitens is a perennial herb about 3 m tall, of wet areas in the forest zone, and reaching mountain elevations.

FURTHER READINGS

Adams, P. R., Musk, R., & Blake, R. (2017). Establishing Eucalyptus nitens plantations using controlled-release fertilisers. Australian Forestry, 80(5), 309–316. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.2017.1387995

Akah, P. A., Okolo, C. E., Okoye, T. C., & Offiah, N. V. (2010). Aqueous extract and methanol fractions of the leaves of Brillantaisia nitens Lindau. reverses phenylhydrazine - Induced anaemia in rats. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 4(3), 271–277. Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77649088907&partnerID=40&md5=69334e1816e94e34285b14959b822c2e

Nembo, E. N., Dimo, T., Bopda, O. S. M., Hescheler, J., & Nguemo, F. (2014). The proliferative and chronotropic effects of Brillantaisia nitens Lindau (Acanthaceae) extracts on pluripotent stem cells and their cardiomyocytes derivatives. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 156, 73–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.07.046

Bridelia ferruginea

009837.jpg

NAME:  Bridelia ferruginea

FAMILY: Euphorbiaceae

COMMON NAMES: Ira

LOCAL NAMES: Ira, ira odan, ira eju,Kirni,Ola,okuk, da-fing saba

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, bark,roots,fruits

GENERAL USES:

  • The wood is use to make granary

  • It also serves as fuel

  • Liquid from the wood is use for glazing in pottery

  • Extracts from  the plant is use for dyeing clothes

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Niger

  • Nigeria

  • Ghana

  • Sierra Leone

  • Togo

  • Ivory Coast

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Bridelia ferruginea medicinal values include

  • Insomnia

  • Antipyretic

  • general care in children

  • diabetes

  • antibacterials

  • dysentery

  • mouth wash

  • gonorrhoea

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • Bridelia ferruginea is a straggly tree about 15 m tall with crooked trunk up to 1.80 m in circumference; the commonest species ranging from Guinea and Mali to S Nigeria, and throughout the wooded savanna regions of Africa.

  • The tree is said to drip water all through the dry season in Sierra Leone and it is fire-resistant.

FURTHER READINGS

Awodele, O., Amagon, K. I., Agbo, J., & Prasad, M. N. V. (2015). Toxicological evaluation of the aqueous stem bark extract of Bridelia ferruginea (Euphorbiaceae) in rodents. Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 8(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.1515/intox-2015-0014

Bakoma, B., Berké, B., Eklu-Gadegbeku, K., Agbonon, A., Aklikokou, K., Gbeassor, M., & Moore, N. (2014). Effect of Bridelia ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) ethyl acetate and acetone fractions on insulin resistance in fructose drinking mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 153(3), 896–899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.03.065

Brassica Oleracea Var Capitata

Starr_070730-7852_Brassica_oleracea_var__capitata.jpg

NAME:  Brassica oleracea var capitata

FAMILY: Cruciferae

COMMON NAMES: Cabbage, sea cabbage, col blanca, chou pommé, kan lan, karanb

LOCAL NAMES: Kabeji, Spitzkohl, cavolo cappucio

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, seeds

GENERAL USES:

  • Cabbage can be eaten raw or cooked and also processed

  • It also serve as fodder for farm animals

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • China

  • Germany

  • Nigeria

  • Italy

  • Netherland

  • Japan

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Brassica oleracea var capitata medicinal values include

  • Antimicrobial

  • skin diseases

  • rheumatism

  • sore throat

  • hoarseness

  • colic

  • pneumonia

  • appendicitis

  • ulcers

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • A cabbage plant is a big bud that forms into a head including intersecting leaves encircled by a rosette of outer leaves close to the ground; it is a field crop.

  • Cabbage heads can be green, purple or white; ranges from 0.5 to 4 kilograms.

FURTHER READINGS

Liu, X. ping, Yang, C., Han, F. qing, Fang, Z. yuan, Yang, L. mei, Zhuang, M., … Zhang, Y. yong. (2016). Genetics and fine mapping of a yellow-green leaf gene (ygl-1) in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.). Molecular Breeding, 36(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-016-0509-4

Yuan, S., Su, Y., Liu, Y., Li, Z., Fang, Z., Yang, L., … Sun, P. (2015). Chromosome Doubling of Microspore-Derived Plants from Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.). Frontiers in Plant Science, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.01118

Boswellia spp

Boswellia_sacra.jpg

NAME:  Boswellia spp

FAMILY: Burseraceae

COMMON NAMES: Frankincense, Olibanum, Olibano, al-maṣṭikaالمصطكىs

LOCAL NAMES: Juguuhi

USEFUL PART(s): Bark

GENERAL USES:

  • Boswelia spp are used as a source of frankincense

  • It is used for religious activities

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • China

  • Somalia

  • India

  • South Arabia

  • Cameroon

  • Nigeria

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Boswellia spp medicinal values include

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Anti snake venom

  • antiproliferative effect on tumors

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • Boswellia spp are flowering plants of moderate-sized, consisting both trees and shrubs, and are indigenous  to tropical regions of Africa and Asia

  • There are four major species of Boswellia which produce true frankincense; Boswellia carteri, Boswellia  frereana, Boswellia  papyrifera, and Boswellia serrata.

FURTHER READINGS

Attorre, F., Taleb, N., De Sanctis, M., Farcomeni, A., Guillet, A., & Vitale, M. (2011). Developing conservation strategies for endemic tree species when faced with time and data constraints: Boswellia spp. on Socotra (Yemen). Biodiversity and Conservation, 20(7), 1483–1499. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0039-7

Younoussa, L., Nukenine, E. N., & Esimone, C. O. (2016). Toxicity of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae) Leaf Fractions Against Immature Stages of Anopheles gambiae (Giles) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae). International Journal of Insect Science, 8, 23–31. https://doi.org/10.4137/IJIS.S37188