Kyffhäuser
NAME: Celastrus senegalensis
FAMILY: Celastraceae
COMMON NAMES: Bittersweet
LOCAL NAMES: Isepolohun
MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:
Celastrus senegalensis is a deciduous shrub growing up to 8 metres tall with a bole that is usually around 25 cm in diameter.
USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, stem root
GENERAL USES:
Leaves are added to soup
Broths are used as a flavoring
Fruit can also be used for culturing yeast
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:
Algeria, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Saudi Arabia
WHY IS IT GREEN?
Dysentery
Oedemas
Gonorrhoea
Cancer
Gastrointestinal troubles
Vermifuge
Mouth wash
Laxative
Aphrodisiac
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
A leaf-infusion does intoxicate fish.
Used as a pioneer species when restoring woodland in drier areas.
FUN FACT
The root is slightly bitter in taste and has a mild laxative action
FURTHER READINGS
Perveen, A., & Qaiser, M. (2008). Pollen Flora of Pakistan-lviii. Celastraceae. Pakistan Journal of Botany.