Ordeal Tree

Erythrophleum suaveolens

NAME: Erythrophleum suaveolens

FAMILY: Fabaceae (Legume family)

COMMON NAMES: Ebo, Ordeal Tree, African Rosewood

LOCAL NAMES: N/A

MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Erythrophleum suaveolens is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree that can reach heights of 15-25 meters. It has a dense, rounded crown with spreading branches. The bark is dark brown and rough with vertical fissures. The leaves are compound, with each leaf consisting of several pairs of elliptical leaflets. The leaflets have a smooth, glossy surface and a pale green color. The tree produces small, fragrant yellow flowers that are arranged in clusters. The fruit is a flat, woody pod containing several seeds.

USEFUL PART(s): Different parts of Erythrophleum suaveolens have various uses.

GENERAL USES:

  1. Timber: Erythrophleum suaveolens is highly valued for its timber, known as African Rosewood. The wood is dense, durable, and has a reddish-brown color with a distinct grain pattern. It is used in the production of furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and other high-quality wood products.

  2. Traditional Medicine: In certain traditional medicinal practices, various parts of Erythrophleum suaveolens, including the bark, leaves, and roots, are used for their potential medicinal properties. They are believed to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects and are used to treat conditions such as fever, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin infections. However, it's important to note that the plant should be used with caution and under the guidance of a trained herbalist or healthcare professional.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION: Erythrophleum suaveolens is native to tropical regions of Africa. It can be found in countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, and Angola. It typically grows in moist forests and woodland areas.

WHY IS IT GREEN? Erythrophleum suaveolens, like other plants, appears green due to the presence of chlorophyll in its leaves. Chlorophyll is a pigment that captures sunlight during photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue wavelengths of light while reflecting green light, giving plants their characteristic green color.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Erythrophleum suaveolens is an important tree species in its native habitats, providing habitat and food for various wildlife. However, unsustainable logging practices and habitat loss have led to the decline of its populations in certain regions. Conservation efforts are necessary to ensure the long-term survival of this species.

FUN FACT: Erythrophleum suaveolens is known as the "Ordeal Tree" due to a traditional practice in some African cultures where a preparation made from the bark is used as an ordeal poison. It was historically used to determine the innocence or guilt of individuals accused of crimes.

Further Reading:

  1. "A Review of the Chemical and Pharmacological Properties of Erythrophleum suaveolens." By B. D. Hamad and others.

  2. "The Ethnobotany and Pharmacology of Erythrophleum suaveolens (Fabaceae)." By A. A. Adeniyi and others.

  3. "Trade in African Rosewood: A Review of the Species, Uses, and Conservation Challenges." By N. Van Vliet and others.