NAME: Chasmanthera dependens

FAMILY: Menispermaceae

COMMON NAMES: Chasmanthera

LOCAL NAMES: Ato-oloriraun

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Chasmanthera dependens is a climbing shrub producing stems 5 metres or more long.

USEFUL PART(s): Roots

GENERAL USES:

The fibrous stem is beaten and used as a sponge.
The roots and leaves are eaten.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Sierra Leone east, Somalia, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana.

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Diuretics
Antigonococcal
For management of fractures.
Pain-killers
Arthritis
Rheumatism
Malaria
Dementia
Snakebites
Epilepsy

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

None known

FUN FACT

It is often planted in home gardens and is sold in local markets.

FURTHER READINGS

Aina, D. A., Owolo, O., Lateef, A., Aina, F. O., & Hakeem, A. S. (2019). Biomedical applications of chasmanthera dependens stem extract mediated silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticoagulant, thrombolytic, and larvicidal agents. Karbala International Journal of Modern Science. https://doi.org/10.33640/2405-609X.1018

Githinji, E. K., Irungu, L. W., Tonui, W. K., Rukunga, G. M., Mutai, C., Muthaura, C. N., Lugalia, R., Gikandi, G., Wainaina, C. W., Ingonga, J. M., & Wanjoya, A. (2010). In vitro effects of Warburgia ugandensis, Psiadia punctulata and Chasmanthera dependens on Leishmania major promastigotes. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines.

Iloh, A. C., Schmidt, M., Muellner-Riehl, A. N., Ogundipe, O. T., & Paule, J. (2017). Pleistocene refugia and genetic diversity patterns in West Africa: Insights from the liana Chasmanthera dependens (Menispermaceae). PLoS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170511

Tijani, S. A., Olaleye, S. B., & Farombi, E. O. (2018). Anti-ulcerogenic effect of the methanol extract of Chasmanthera dependens (Hochst) stem on male Wistar rats. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2017-0152