Green Institute

Celastrus senegalensis

Kyffhäuser

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.

Celastrus paniculatus

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

NAME: Celastrus paniculatus       

FAMILY: Celastraceae

COMMON NAMES:  Staff tree, intellect tree

LOCAL NAMES: Mawo Olule

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Celastrus paniculatus is a deciduous, climbing shrub producing stems up to 10 metres long and 25cm in diameter, with its twine helping to support themselves by means of hooked prickles.

USEFUL PART(s): Bark,roots            

GENERAL USES:

  • Young flowers are cooked and used as a vegetable.

  • Oil from seed is used as an an illuminant in lamps and also for soap making.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

East Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Antimalarial

  • Antipyretic

  • Tuberculosis

  • Dysentery

  • Abortion

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

None known

FUN FACT

Fruits are used as blood tonic.

FURTHER READINGS

Bhanumathy, M., Harish, M. S., Shivaprasad, H. N., & Sushma, G. (2010). Nootropic activity of Celastrus paniculatus seed. Pharmaceutical Biology. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880200903127391

Borrelli, F., Borbone, N., Capasso, R., Montesano, D., De Marino, S., Aviello, G., Aprea, G., Masone, S., & Izzo, A. A. (2009). Potent relaxant effect of a Celastrus paniculatus extract in the rat and human ileum. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.02.003

Nalini, K., Karanth, K. S., Rao, A., & Aroor, A. R. (1995). Effects of Celastrus paniculatus on passive avoidance performance and biogenic amine turnover in albino rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(95)01264-E

Phulwaria, M., Rai, M. K., Patel, A. K., Kataria, V., & Shekhawat, N. S. (2013). A genetically stable rooting protocol for propagating a threatened medicinal plant - Celastrus paniculatus. AoB PLANTS. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/pls054

Valecha, R., & Dhingra, D. (2016). Behavioral and biochemical evidences for antidepressant-like activity of celastrus paniculatus seed oil in mice. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience.

Celastrus indica

Wikimedia

Wikimedia

NAME: Celastrus indica      

FAMILY: Celastraceae

COMMON NAMES: Bittersweet

LOCAL NAMES:  Ponju-owiwi

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Celastrus indica is a deciduous, climbing shrub with a simple ovoid leaves and typically 5–20 cm long. The flowers are small, white, pink or greenish, and borne in long panicles; the fruit is a three-valved berry.

USEFUL PART(s):  Roots,leaves,twigs

GENERAL USES:                              

  • Young flowers are cooked and used as a vegetable

  • The wood, oil extracted from seed and roots are used for medicinal purposes.

  • The seeds are used in making soap and as illuminants for lamps.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

East Asia, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Antimicrobial

  • Anthelmintics

  • Asthma

  • Malaria  

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

None Known

FUN FACT

Plants climb by means of twining and by hooked prickles.

FURTHER READINGS

Panda, S. K., Mohanta, Y. K., Padhi, L., Park, Y. H., Mohanta, T. K., & Bae, H. (2016). Large scale screening of ethnomedicinal plants for identification of potential antibacterial compounds. Molecules. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21030293

Sharma, S., & Thokchom, R. (2014). A review on endangered medicinal plants of India and their conservation. Journal of Crop and Weed.

Thi Thanh Duyen, B., Manh Hung, V., & Thanh Tung, B. (2020). Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Effects of Celastrus hindsii Benth. Leaf Extract. VNU Journal of Science: Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1132/vnumps.4203

Ceiba pentandra

prota4u.org

prota4u.org

NAME: Ceiba pentandra       

FAMILY: Bombacaceae

COMMON NAMES:   White silk cotton tree,kapok,fuma

LOCAL NAMES:   Araba,egungun,Rimii,Akpu

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:  

Ceiba pentandra is a deciduous, tall tree,  growing to 50 m (164ft) by 30 m (98ft) at a fast rate

USEFUL PART(s): Flowers, leaves, bark,exudate.

GENERAL USES:

  • Tender leaves are eaten like okra

  • Seed is eaten in soups and used as a flavouring

  • Serves as source of fiber and timbers

  • Wood ashes are used as a salt substitute

  • Oil extracted from seed is used for cooking

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, northern South America, southern Asia, tropical west Africa

WHY IS IT GREEN?

plantsoftheworldonline.org

plantsoftheworldonline.org

  • Diabetes

  • Fever

  • Gonorrhoea

  • Emollient

  • Syphilis

  • Emetic

  • Astringent

  • Demulcent

  • Asthma

  • Diabetes

  • Menorrhagia  

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The seed is toxic but the oil is edible

Can serve as an ornamental plant

FUN FACT

The oil has a yellow colour and taste resembling cottonseed oil

Flowers - blanched and eaten with chilli sauce

FURTHER READINGS

Silitonga, A. S., Ong, H. C., Mahlia, T. M. I., Masjuki, H. H., & Chong, W. T. (2013). Characterization and production of Ceiba pentandra biodiesel and its blends. Fuel. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2013.02.014

T. K., L., & Lim, T. K. (2012). Ceiba pentandra. In Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8661-7_72

Zheng, Y., Wang, J., Zhu, Y., & Wang, A. (2015). Research and application of kapok fiber as an absorbing material: A mini review. In Journal of Environmental Sciences (China). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2014.09.026

Nigella sativa

territorialseed.com

territorialseed.com

NAME: Nigella sativa      

FAMILY: Ranunculaceae

COMMON NAMES:   black seed, black cumin

LOCAL NAMES:  kalonji

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:  

Nigella sativa is an annual flowering plant that grows to 20-90 cm tall, with finely divided, linear leaves and its flowers are delicate, and usually colored pale blue and white, with five to ten petals.

USEFUL PART(s): seed   


GENERAL USES:

  • It is used as a spice and food preservative

  • Oil extracts of the seeds can be used for medicinal purposes

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Southwestern Asia, parts of the Mediterranean, Africa, India, Europe

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  •  Asthma

  • High Blood Pressure

  • Cancer

  • Inflammation

  • Migraine

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Eczema

  • Stomach ulcers

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:

None

FUN FACT:

Black seeds taste like a combination of onions, black pepper, and oregano and has a pungent, bitter taste and smell

alibaba.com

alibaba.com

FURTHER READINGS

Ahmad, A., Husain, A., Mujeeb, M., Khan, S. A., Najmi, A. K., Siddique, N. A., Damanhouri, Z. A., & Anwar, F. (2013). A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1

Al-Quorain, A. (2015). Nigella Sativa. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences. https://doi.org/10.4103/1658-631x.149647

Gharby, S., Harhar, H., Guillaume, D., Roudani, A., Boulbaroud, S., Ibrahimi, M., Ahmad, M., Sultana, S., Hadda, T. Ben, Chafchaouni-Moussaoui, I., & Charrouf, Z. (2015). Chemical investigation of Nigella sativa L. seed oil produced in Morocco. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2013.12.001

Kooti, W., Hasanzadeh-Noohi, Z., Sharafi-Ahvazi, N., Asadi-Samani, M., & Ashtary-Larky, D. (2016). Phytochemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic uses of black seed (Nigella sativa). In Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(16)30088-7

Randhawa, M. A., & Alghamdi, M. S. (2011). Anticancer activity of Nigella sativa (Black Seed) - A review. In American Journal of Chinese Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X1100941X

Casuarina equisetifolia

Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve

Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve

NAME:  Casuarina equisetifolia     

FAMILY: Casuarinaceae

COMMON NAMES:   Australian pine, horse-tail tree, whistling pine, She Oak

LOCAL NAMES:  agoho pine, agoso, aro

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Casuarina equisetifolia is a tall (grows up to 35m height), slender, much branched evergreen tree that is deciduous and grows in open, coastal habitats.

USEFUL PART(s):   Leaves, seeds, roots, twig, bark

GENERAL USES:

  • Seeds are roasted for salt

  • Leaves are used for ornamental purposes

  • Bark contains a red pigment which is used as dye

  • Bark is used for preserving ropes.

  • Wood is used to produce paper pulp

  • Wood is highly regarded as a fuel

  • A decoction of the twigs is used for treating swellings

  • Roots extracts are used to treat dysentery, diarrhoea and stomach ache

  • Powdered bark is used for treating pimples on the face

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Asia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Antipyretic

  • Salt tolerant tree

  • Dysentery

  • Diarrhoea

  • Stomach ache

  • Asthma

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:

It helps control erosion and is a wind breaking element

It is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen

Can serve as an ornamental plant

FUN FACT:

The fruit resembles a conifer cone made up of numerous carpels each containing a single seed with a small wing.

FURTHER READING

Casuarina equisetifolia Linn. (2011). In SpringerReference. https://doi.org/10.1007/springerreference_68248

Khare, C. P. (2007). Casuarina equisetifolia Linn. In Indian Medicinal Plants. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-70638-2_311

Kumar, R., Pandey, K. K., Chandrashekar, N., & Mohan, S. (2011). Study of age and height wise variability on calorific value and other fuel properties of Eucalyptus hybrid, Acacia auriculaeformis and Casuarina equisetifolia. Biomass and Bioenergy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.12.031

Samarakoon, M. B., Tanaka, N., & Iimura, K. (2013). Improvement of effectiveness of existing Casuarina equisetifolia forests in mitigating tsunami damage. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.10.050

Valdés, M., Pérez, N. O., Estrada-De Los Santos, P., Caballero-Mellado, J., Peña-Cabriales, J. J., Normand, P., & Hirsch, A. M. (2005). Non-Frankia actinomycetes isolated from surface-sterilized roots of Casuarina equisetifolia fix nitrogen. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.71.1.460-466.2005

Van Rooyen, M. W., Van Rooyen, N., & Stoffberg, G. H. (2013). Carbon sequestration potential of post-mining reforestation activities on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, South Africa. Forestry. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cps070

Cassytha filiformis

Wikimedia Commons

Wikimedia Commons

NAME: Cassytha filiformis       

FAMILY: Lauraceae

COMMON NAMES: Devil's gut, parasitic vine, Dodder Laurel,love-vine

LOCAL NAMES:  Omoniginigini, omonigele-gele, sulunwahi.

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:  

Cassytha filiformis is a much branched, slender, parasitic or semiparasitic plant,green leafless, scruby and perennial plant.

USEFUL PART(s):   Stem, twigs

GENERAL USES:

  • Whole plant is used as a paste for paper-making by local people

  • Leaves are used as vegetables

  • The stems serves as a source for brown dye when mashed in water.

  • Stems are used to make a mucilaginous hair tonic when dried,powdered and  mixed with sesame oil

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Africa, Asia, Australia, America

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Anthelmintics

  • Antimicrobials

  • Antifungal

  • Oedema

  • Headache

  • Hepatitis 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

It poses a threat to endangered plant species in coastal habitats in the tropics

FUN FACT

Its stem has a luxuriant hair-like appearance

FURTHER READINGS

Armenia, A., Hercegovina, H., Gustinanda, D., Salasa, A. N., Yuliandra, Y., & Ismed, F. (2015). Acute and delayed toxicity study of Cassytha filiformis defatted ethanolic extract. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Khare, C. P. (2007). Cassytha filiformis Linn. In Indian Medicinal Plants. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-70638-2_309

Mythili, S., Gajalakshmi, S., Sathiavelu, A., & Sridharan, T. B. (2011). Pharmacological Activities of Cassytha Filiformis: A Review. Asian Journal of Plant Science and Research.

Wu, C. S., Wang, T. J., Chia-Wenwu, Wang, Y. N., & Chaw, S. M. (2017). Plastome evolution in the sole hemiparasitic genus laurel dodder (cassytha) and insights into the plastid phylogenomics of lauraceae. Genome Biology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evx177

Yuliandra, Y., Armenia, A., & Arifin, H. (2017). Antihypertensive and antioxidant activity of Cassytha filiformis L.: A correlative study. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2017.06.007

Casearia barteri

Central African Plants

Central African Plants

NAME:  Casearia barteri

FAMILY: Samydaceae 

COMMON NAMES: nzema punum, akpanọ-ẹzẹ

LOCAL NAMES:  Ukpakuzon

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

A shrub or tree plant growing to about 20 -40 m in height and mostly found in swamp forest

USEFUL PART(s):   Stem, twig, bark

GENERAL USES:

  •   Stem are used as chew-sticks

  •   Fruits are used as a fish poison

  • Leaves are used in preparing Burundi decoctions which are drunk against fever and madness

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Nigeria, Sudan, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Toothache

  • Oral hygiene

  • Fever   

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

It's habitat provides shelter for endangered and threatened species like alligator.

FUN FACT

It's mostly found in rainforest, swampy, flooded, half deciduous and secondary forests

FURTHER READINGS

Breteler, F.J., 2008. A synopsis of Casearia Jacq. (Samydeae – Salicaceae) in West and Central Africa with a description of a new species from Eastern Congo (Kinshasa). Kew Bulletin 63: 101–112.

http://congotrees.rbge.org.uk/species/details/casearia-barteri

https://plants.jstor.org/compilation/casearia.barteri

Carpolobia lutea

Useful Tropical Plants

Useful Tropical Plants

NAME:  Carpolobia lutea

FAMILY:    Polygalaceae

COMMON NAMES:  Cattlestick, poor man’s candle

LOCAL NAMES:   Osunsun, Uziza, Aghba –awa

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Carpolobia lutea is a short fruit producing tree growing to about 15ft in height.

USEFUL PART(s):  Leaves, bark, root, fruit           

GENERAL USES:

  • Edible leaves as vegetable

  • Edible fruit

  • Wood is used for making household utensils

  • Used as an aphrodisiac herbal medicine

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Nigeria, Cameroon, Sierra Leone

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Rheumatism

  • Aphrodisiac

  • Toothache

  • Ulcer

  • Malaria

  • Genetourinary

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

It is resistant to termites

FUN FACT:

Extract from Cattle stick leave could help to protect chemical messengers in the brain which play a vital role in functions including memory and learning.

FURTHER READING:

Nwidu, L. L., Nwafor, P. A., & Vilegas, W. (2015). The aphrodisiac herb Carpolobia: A biopharmacological and phytochemical review. In Pharmacognosy Reviews. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.162128

Ogunsile, B. O., & Quintana, G. C. (2010). Modeling of soda - ethanol pulps from Carpolobia lutea. BioResources. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.5.4.2417-2430

Ogunwande, I. A., Flamini, G., Avoseh, N. O., & Banwo, I. D. (2014). Essential oil of carpolobia lutea. Chemistry of Natural Compounds. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10600-014-0958-0

Carpodinus dulcis

Global Plants on JSTOR

Global Plants on JSTOR

NAME:  Carpodinus dulcis

FAMILY:  Apocynacee

COMMON NAMES: brunehol, girl’s rubber   

LOCAL NAMES: kushument (k)

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

A climbing shrub with long terminal stems up to 10 metres long that attach themselves to other plants for support by means of tendrils.

USEFUL PART(s):  Whole Plant

GENERAL USES:               

  • The fruit is edible

  • Ointments making

  • Medicinal use for impotency

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Senegal, Nigeria, Sierra Leone

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Galactagogure

  • Aphrodisiac

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • Can serve medicinal purposes

  • Adapts in tropical regions

  • Serves as raw material for rubber industry.

FUN FACT

The fruit is yellow externally, in size and appearance resembling a lime.

FURTHER READING

Burkill, H.M. 1985. The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 1

Hedrick, ed., 1919. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. 

Carissa edulis

PlantZAfrica

PlantZAfrica

NAME: Carissa edulis  

FAMILY:  Apocynaeae Bagozaki

COMMON NAMES: climbing num-num, simple-spined num-num

LOCAL NAMES: Arabian numnum, agam, simple-spined num-num

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Carissa edulis is a fast-growing spin evergreen shrub with glossy foliage scrambling up to 6 m tall. It produces flowers with white color tinged pink to purple.

USEFUL PART(s): Roots, fruits

GENERAL USES:                 

  • Fruit can be fermented to make a refreshing pink wine or left longer to make vinegar

  • In Kenya, root is used as snake repellant

  • Plant suitable for planting as a protective hedge

  • Contain carissin that can be used to treat cancer.

  • Root is used in stew and soup

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Kenya, South Africa, India, Thailand, Nigeria

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Expectorant

  • Abortifacient

  • Herpes simplex virus.

  • Venereal diseases

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Can serve as ornamental plant

FUN FACT

It is drought resistant.

FURTHER READINGS
Achenbach, H., Waibel, R., & Addae-Mensah, I. (1983). Lignans and other constituents from Carissa edulis. Phytochemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86976-9

Al-Youssef, H. M., & Hassan, W. H. B. (2017). Chemical constituents of Carissa edulis Vahl. Arabian Journal of Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2014.01.004

Fanta Yadang, S. A., Taiwe Sotoing, G., Ngatcha Zouakeu, K. S., Khan, M. A., Agbor, G. A., Ur-Rahman, N., & Ngo Bum, E. (2019). Quantification of Bioactive Compounds and Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Carissa edulis Valh (Apocynaceae) Leaves. Scientific World Journal. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7549620

Kebenei, J. S., Ndalut, P. K., & Sabah, A. O. (2011). Anti-plasmodial activity of nortrachelogenin from the root bark of Carissa edulis (vahl). International Journal of Applied Research in Natural Products.

Okullo, J. B. L., Omujal, F., Bigirimana, C., Isubikalu, P., Malinga, M., Bizuru, E., & Namutebi, A. (2014). Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies Ethno-Medicinal Uses of Selected Indigenous Fruit Trees from the Lake Victoria Basin Districts in Uganda. Journal of Medicinal Studies.

Ya’u, J., Yaro, A. H., Abubakar, M. S., Anuka, J. A., & Hussaini, I. M. (2008). Anticonvulsant activity of Carissa edulis (Vahl) (Apocynaceae) root bark extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.08.029

Carica papaya

papaya-194800_1920.jpg

NAME:   Carica papaya

FAMILY:  Caricaceae

COMMON NAMES:  Pawpaw, Papaya

LOCAL NAMES: Ibepe, Ojo, gwanda 

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Carica papaya is a small, few branched tree, with a tall single stem (growing about 5-10m) and its leaves are large (50-70cm), spirally arranged and confined to the top of the trunk.

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, seeds, fruits, flowers

GENERAL USES:

  • Fruits are edible raw or cooked

  • Male flower are cooked as vegetable

  • Seed can be used as spices in  salad dressing

  • Papain enzyme as meat tenderizer

  • Used in dye and tanning

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

Spain, Nigeria, Phillipine, India

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Gonorrhoea

  • Syphilis

  • Amoebic dysentery

  • Roundworms

  • Abortifacient

  • Emmenagogue

  • Diabetes

  • Convulsion

  • Mental disorder

  • Malaria.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Papaya cultivation requires heavy fertilizer applications.

FUN FACT

The black seed is edible and actually tasted like black pepper

FURTHER READINGS

Fitch, M. M. (2009). Carica papaya papaya. In Biotechnology of fruit and nut crops. https://doi.org/10.1079/9780851996622.0174

Maisarah, A. M., Nurul Amira, B., Asmah, R., & Fauziah, O. (2013). Antioxidant analysis of different parts of Carica papaya. International Food Research Journal.

Singh, S. P., & Sudhakar Rao, D. V. (2011). Papaya (Carica papaya L.). In Postharvest Biology and Technology of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits. https://doi.org/10.1533/9780857092618.86

T. K., L., & Lim, T. K. (2012). Carica papaya. In Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8661-7_97

Teixeira, J. A., Rashid, Z., Tan, D., Dharini, N., Gera, A., Teixeira, M., Jr, S., & Tennant, P. F. (2007). Papaya ( Carica papaya L .) Biology and Biotechnology. Africa.

Yogiraj, V., Goyal, P. K., Chauhan, C. S., Goyal, A., & Vyas, B. (2014). Carica papaya Linn: an overview. International Journal of Herbal Medicine.

Cardiospermum halicacabum

Cardiospermum halicacabum.jpg

NAME:  Cardiospermum halicacabum

FAMILY: Sapindaceae

COMMON NAMES: Balloon vine, heart seed, balsam apple

LOCAL NAMES: Shaworo, erapoo, Mpikpo, Fadama, Garafunin

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Cardiospermum halicacabum is a scrambling, creeping or climbing deciduous plant. It is branched from the base, climbs by means of tendrils and attains about 3 m in length.

USEFUL PART(s):   Leaves, root, stem, seed

GENERAL USES:

  • Leaves are eaten as vegetable

  • seed is used in making beads

  • basket making

  • ornamental plant

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

Wayne County, Australia, North America

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Skin eruption

  • Piles

  • Rheumatism

  • syphilitic sores

  • Gonorrhea

  • Amenorrhea

  • Emetic

  • nervous disorders

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

It is aggressive and invasive species. It contains toxic that may be toxic to animals

FUN FACT

It has the ability to form big mats.

FURTHER READINGS

Govindarajan, M., & Sivakumar, R. (2012). Repellent properties of Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. (Family: Sapindaceae) plant leaf extracts against three important vector mosquitoes. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60105-1

Malaviya, S., Nandakumar, K., Vaghasiya, J. D., Bhalodiya, Y. S., Jivani, N. P., Sheth, N., Manek, R. A., & Chauhan, S. P. (2009). Anxiolytic activity of root extracts of Cardiospermum halicacabum in mice. Internet Journal of Pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.5580/1e23

Respondek, U. (2007). Cardiospermum halicacabum. Zeitschrift Für Klassische Homöopathie. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-938377

Sheeba, M. S., & Asha, V. V. (2009). Cardiospermum halicacabum ethanol extract inhibits LPS induced COX-2, TNF-α and iNOS expression, which is mediated by NF-κB regulation, in RAW264.7 cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.020

Veeramani, C., Al-Numair, K. S., Alsaif, M. A., Chandramohan, G., Al-Numair, N. S., & Pugalendi, K. V. (2012). Protective effect of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf extract on glycoprotein components on STZ-induced hyperglycemic rats. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1995-7645(12)60178-3

Abrus precatorius

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NAME:  Abrus precatorius

FAMILY: Fabaceae

COMMON NAMES: Crab’s eye, rosary pea, love nut, jequirity, prayer bead, country licorice

LOCAL NAMES: Oju-ologbo, omisinminsin, mesenmesen, iwere-jeje, Olorun yin-ni, otoberebere, idonzakara, Umkhokha.

USEFUL PART(s): Root, leaves, seeds

GENERAL USES: The seeds of Abrus precatorius are used as:

  • Units of measurement

  • Weapons

  • Jewelry (beads)

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • China

  • Thailand

  • Japan

  • Seychelles

  • Nigeria

  • Brazil

WHY IS IT GREEN? 

Abrus precatorius medicinal uses include:

  • Colds and cough

  • Convulsion

  • Rheumatism

  • Conjunctivitis

  • Contraceptive

  • Antimicrobials

  • Aphrodisiac

  • Ulcer

  • Anaemia

  • Antidote poison

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • Environmental weeds

  • Strange/unusual scramblers and vines

OTHER IMPACT

The seeds are toxic to both humans and farm animals

 FURTHER READINGS

Bhardwaj, D. K., Bisht, M. S., & Mehta, C. K. (1980). Flavonoids from Abrus Precatorius. Phytochemistry, 19(9), 2040–2041. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(80)83038-X

Ghosal, S., & Dutta, S. K. (1971). Alkaloids of Abrus precatorius. Phytochemistry, 10(1), 195–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90270-X

Hata, Y., Ebrahimi, S. N., De Mieri, M., Zimmermann, S., Mokoka, T., Naidoo, D., … Hamburger, M. (2014). Antitrypanosomal isoflavan quinones from Abrus precatorius. Fitoterapia, 93, 81–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2013.12.015

Limmatvapirat, C., Sirisopanaporn, S., & Kittakoop, P. (2004). Antitubercular and antiplasmodial constituents of Abrus precatorius. Planta Medica, 70(3), 276–278. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2004-818924

Manasi, N., Pimpalgaonkar, P. B., & Laddha, K. S. (2011). Studies on sodhana prakriya of gunja (Abrus precatorius Linn.) seeds. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 10(4), 693–696.

Nwodo, O. F. C. (1991). Studies on Abrus precatorius seeds. I: Uterotonic activity of seed oil. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 31(3), 391–394. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(91)90023-7

Olsnes, S. (1978). Toxic and Nontoxic Lectins from Abrus precatorius. Methods in Enzymology, 50(C), 323–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/0076-6879(78)50036-0

Osmeli, D., Kimia, B., Kedokteran, F., & Yarsi, U. (2009). KANDUNGAN SENYAWA KIMIA , UJI TOKSISITAS ( Brine Shrimp Lethality Test ) DAN ANTIOKSIDAN ( 1 , 1-diphenyl-2-pikrilhydrazyl ) DARI EKSTRAK DAUN SAGA ( Abrus precatorius L .). Macara Sains, 13(1), 50–54.

Singh, R. B., & Shelley. (2007). Polysaccharide structure of degraded glucomannan from Abrus precatorius Linn, seeds. Journal of Environmental Biology, 28(2 SUPPL.), 461–464.

Subba Reddy, V. V., & Sirsi, M. (1969). Effect of Abrus precatorius L. on Experimental Tumors. Cancer Research, 29(7), 1447–1451.

Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra)

green-Abelmoschus esculentus.jpg

GENERAL INFORMATION

NAME: Abelmoschus esculentus L., 1753

FAMILY: Malvaceae

LOCAL NAMES: Ila, okweje, kubewa

COMMON NAMES: Okra, lady's finger

USEFUL PART(s): Fruit, seeds

WHY IS IT GREEN? 

Abelmoschus esculentus use includes: 

  • Fevers

  • Gonorrhoea

  • Dysentery

  • Catarrhal infections

  • Emollient

  • Antispasmodic

  • Tonic


VIDEOS


FURTHER READINGS

Doreddula, S.K., Bonam, S.R., Gaddam, D.P., Desu, B.S.R., Ramarao, N., Pandy, V., 2014. Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, antistress, and nootropic activities of aqueous and methanolic seed extracts of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Mice. Sci. World J. 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/519848

Jayaseelan, C., Ramkumar, R., Rahuman, A.A., Perumal, P., 2013. Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using seed aqueous extract of Abelmoschus esculentus and its antifungal activity. Ind. Crops Prod. 45, 423–429. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.12.019

Kumar, D.S., Tony, D.E., Kumar,  a P., Kumar, K.A., Rao, D.B.S., Nadendla, R., 2013. a Review on : Abelmoschus Esculentus ( Okra ). Int. Res. J. Pharm. appied Sci. 3, 129–132.

Molfetta, I., Ceccarini, L., Macchia, M., Flamini, G., Cioni, P.L., 2013. Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. and Abelmoschus moschatus Medik: Seeds production and analysis of the volatile compounds. Food Chem. 141, 34–40. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.02.030

Mollick, M.M.R., Rana, D., Dash, S.K., Chattopadhyay, S., Bhowmick, B., Maity, D., Mondal, D., Pattanayak, S., Roy, S., Chakraborty, M., Chattopadhyay, D., 2015. Studies on green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) pulp extract having anticancer (in vitro) and antimicrobial applications. Arab. J. Chem. doi:10.1016/j.arabjc.2015.04.033

Doreddula, S.K., Bonam, S.R., Gaddam, D.P., Desu, B.S.R., Ramarao, N., Pandy, V., 2014. Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, antistress, and nootropic activities of aqueous and methanolic seed extracts of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Mice. Sci. World J. 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/519848

Jayaseelan, C., Ramkumar, R., Rahuman, A.A., Perumal, P., 2013. Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using seed aqueous extract of Abelmoschus esculentus and its antifungal activity. Ind. Crops Prod. 45, 423–429. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.12.019

Kumar, D.S., Tony, D.E., Kumar,  a P., Kumar, K.A., Rao, D.B.S., Nadendla, R., 2013. a Review on : Abelmoschus Esculentus ( Okra ). Int. Res. J. Pharm. appied Sci. 3, 129–132.

Molfetta, I., Ceccarini, L., Macchia, M., Flamini, G., Cioni, P.L., 2013. Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. and Abelmoschus moschatus Medik: Seeds production and analysis of the volatile compounds. Food Chem. 141, 34–40. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.02.030

Mollick, M.M.R., Rana, D., Dash, S.K., Chattopadhyay, S., Bhowmick, B., Maity, D., Mondal, D., Pattanayak, S., Roy, S., Chakraborty, M., Chattopadhyay, D., 2015. Studies on green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) pulp extract having anticancer (in vitro) and antimicrobial applications. Arab. J. Chem. doi:10.1016/j.arabjc.2015.04.033