Cardiospermum halicacabum

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

Carapa procera

West African Plants

NAME:  Carapa procera

FAMILY: Meliaceae

COMMON NAMES:  Monkey cola, crabwood, andiroba

LOCAL NAMES:  Irere, Agogo, abo-oganwo, Nkwo

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Carapa procera is a flowering plant sprawling in swamp forest but a tall tree in lowland rain forest. These are trees up to 30 meters tall.

USEFUL PART(s):  Bark, seeds, leaves

GENERAL USES:

• Timber

• Oil from seed as mosquito repellant

• Oil soap making

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:  Tanzania, Senegal, Angola, Brazil

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• ringworms

• boils

• rheumatic pains

• antipyretic

• purgative

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Unknown

FUN FACT

Can be categorize as either red crabwood or white crabwood based on their location

FURTHER READINGS

Dembélé, U., Lykke, A. M., Koné, Y., Témé, B., & Kouyaté, A. M. (2015). Use-value and importance of socio-cultural knowledge on Carapa procera trees in the Sudanian zone in Mali. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-11-14

Djenontin, T. S., Wotto, V. D., Avlessi, F., Lozano, P., Sohounhloué, D. K. C., & Pioch, D. (2012). Composition of Azadirachta indica and Carapa procera (Meliaceae) seed oils and cakes obtained after oil extraction. Industrial Crops and Products. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.01.005

Doligez, A., & Joly, H. I. (1997). Genetic diversity and spatial structure within a natural stand of a tropical forest tree species, Carapa procera (Meliaceae), in French Guiana. Heredity. https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1997.124

Capsicum frutescens

Wikipedia

NAME:  Capsicum frutescens

FAMILY: Solanaceae

COMMON NAMES:  Chili pepper,bird pepper

LOCAL NAMES:  Ata wewe, ata-eiye, Ose mkpe, Taashi

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Capsicum frutescens is a short-lived perennial plant with height of 1-2m. The plant is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).

USEFUL PART(s):   seed, fruit, leaves

GENERAL USES:

• Edible leave, fruit and seed

• Flavor

• potherb

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION: 

India, Ethiopia

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Fevers

• Dysentery

• Stimulant

• Carminative

• Malaria

• Ingredient of some herbal recipes.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Although no reports have been seen for this species, many plants in this family produce toxins in their leaves. The sap of the plant can cause the skin to blister

FUN FACT

Although the growing plant repels insects, Birds are immune to the spice in hot peppers

FURTHER READINGS

Bosland, P. W., & Baral, J. B. (2007). “Bhut Jolokia” - The world’s hottest known chile pepper is a putative naturally occurring interspecific hybrid. HortScience. https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci.42.2.222

Cichewicz, R. H., & Thorpe, P. A. (1996). The antimicrobial properties of chile peppers (Capsicum species) and their uses in Mayan medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(96)01384-0

Emmanuel-Ikpeme, C. (2014). Comparative Evaluation of the Nutritional, Phytochemical and Microbiological Quality of Three Pepper Varieties. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20140203.15

Koffi-Nevry, R., Kouassi, K. C., Nanga, Z. Y., Koussémon, M., & Loukou, G. Y. (2012). Antibacterial activity of two bell pepper extracts: Capsicum annuum L. and Capsicum frutescens. International Journal of Food Properties. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2010.509896

Lim, T. K., & Lim, T. K. (2013). Capsicum frutescens. In Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5628-1_31

Capsicum annuum

Wikipedia

NAME: Capsicum annuum

FAMILY: Solanaceae

COMMON NAMES: Bell pepper, red pepper, sweet pepper, Cayenne Pepper.

LOCAL NAMES: Ata rodo, sombo, Ose oyinbo, ngayok, piment

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

A subshrub perennial plant that is usually grown as an annual. The height depend on the variety but is about 0.5-1.5m tall.

USEFUL PART(s): seed, fruit, flower, leaves

GENERAL USES:

• Fruits are used in salad, soup, stew

• Young leaves are said to be edible

• Seed is dried, ground into a powder and used as a pepper

• Food preservative

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

China, Mexico, Thailand, Nigeria, Egypt

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• antiseptic

• diaphoretic

• rubefacient,

• Stimulant

• Carminative

• Vitamin C

• sialagogue

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Capsicum annuum is an invasive weed as list by The Global Compendium of Weeds.

FUN FACT

 Bird pepper is the most widely used condiment all over the Universe.

FURTHER READINGS

Capsaicin Content and Pungency of Different Capsicum spp. Cultivars. (2008). Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha362345

Cichewicz, R. H., & Thorpe, P. A. (1996). The antimicrobial properties of chile peppers (Capsicum species) and their uses in Mayan medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(96)01384-0

Lim, T. K., & Lim, T. K. (2013). Capsicum annuum. In Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5628-1_28

Zhigila, D. A., Abdulrahaman, A. A., Kolawole, O. S., & Oladele, F. A. (2014). Fruit morphology as taxonomic features in five varieties of capsicum annuum L. solanaceae. Journal of Botany. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/540868

Capraria biflora

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

NAME: Capraria biflora

FAMILY: Scrophulariaceae

COMMON NAMES:   Goatweed, stowweed

LOCAL NAMES: Chokuilxim, boox, claudius

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Capraria biflora is a white-flowered, herbaceous perennial plants with multiple stems up to 1.4m in height and whose base becomes woody with age.

USEFUL PART(s): Root

GENERAL USES:

• The aerial parts of the plant are used to make a tea

• Strong insecticidal activity

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:  

Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela

 WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Antifungal agent

• Colds and flu

• Diarrhea

• Hemorrhoids

• fever

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Goatweed helps revegetate disturbed areas, protects the soil, and furnishes cover for wildlife

FUN FACT

Goatweed is a dangerous depressant in large quantities

FURTHER READINGS

Acosta, S. L., Muro, L. V., Sacerio, A. L., Monteagudo, G. L., Peña, A. R., & Okwei, S. N. (2003). Anti-inflammatory effects of an aqueous extract of Capraria biflora L. Acta Farmaceutica Bonaerense.

Da Souza, L. G. S., Almeida, M. C. S., Monte, F. J. Q., Santiago, G. M. P., Braz-Filho, R., Lemos, T. L. G., Gomes, C. L., & Do Nascimento, R. F. (2012). Chemical constituents of capraria biflora (scrophulariaceae) and larvicidal activity of essential oil. Quimica Nova. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422012001100032

De Aquino, T. M., Lima, C. S. D. A., De Albuquerque, U. P., & De Amorim, E. L. C. (2006). Capraria biflora L. (Scrophulariaceae): Uma revisão. In Acta Farmaceutica Bonaerense.

Fonseca, A. M., Pessoa, O. D. L., Lemos, T. L. G., & Nascimento, R. F. (2006). Constituents of the essential oil of capraria biflora from northeast Brazil. Journal of Essential Oil Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2006.9699052

Cannabis sativa

NAME: Cannabis sativa

FAMILY: Cannabinaceae

COMMON NAMES:  marijuana, cannabis, ganja, hemp, hashish

LOCAL NAMES: Injaga, Bhaṅgā, Spak brus, Taima

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous flowering plant. The flowers are unisexual

USEFUL PART(s): seeds, leave, stem-twigs, female inflorescence

GENERAL USES:

hempseed oil for cooking, lamps, lacquers, or paints

The flowers and fruits  are consumed for recreational, medicinal, and spiritual purposes

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, and Southeast Asia.

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Diarrhoea

• Sores

• Migraine

• Whooping

• Cough

• Sedative

• Dandruff

• Lice

• Gonorrhea,

• Dyspepsia

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

 It is by far one of the most widely used drugs.

FURTHER READINGS

Andre, C. M., Hausman, J. F., & Guerriero, G. (2016). Cannabis sativa: The plant of the thousand and one molecules. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00019

Chandra, S., Lata, H., & ElSohly, M. A. (2017). Cannabis sativa L. - botany and biotechnology. In Cannabis sativa L. - Botany and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54564-6

Flores-Sanchez, I. J., & Verpoorte, R. (2008). Secondary metabolism in cannabis. Phytochemistry Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-008-9094-4

Johnson, R. (2011). Hemp as an agricultural commodity. In Cannabis Sativa for Health and Hemp.

Machado Bergamaschi, M., Helena Costa Queiroz, R., Waldo Zuardi, A., & Alexandre S. Crippa, J. (2011). Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa Constituent. Current Drug Safety. https://doi.org/10.2174/157488611798280924

Pereira, J., & Wiegand, T. (2014). Marijuana. In Encyclopedia of Toxicology: Third Edition. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-386454-3.00745-4

Canna indica

Wikipedia

NAME: Canna indica

FAMILY: Cannaceae

COMMON NAMES: Indian shot, African arrowroot, edible canna, canna

LOCAL NAMES: Idodo, ido, Gwangwama, Aberekanw

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Canna indica is a long- lived herbaceous plant with large leaves up to 50cm long and 25cm wide.

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

GENERAL USES:

• Roots are edible

• young shoots are cooked and eaten as a green vegetable

• A fibre obtained from the leaves is used for making paper

• Smoke from the burning leaves is said to be insecticidal

• seeds are widely used for jewelry

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

 Eastern and south-eastern Australia. New Zealand, southern USA, southern and eastern Africa, Hawaii

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Asthma

• Malaria

• Diaphoretic and diuretic

• Fevers

• Dermatoses

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• It can restrict water movement, cause flooding, and limit access to waterways

• C. indica is regarded as an invasive species and noxious weed in other parts of the world

FUN FACT

 Canna indica reproduces vegetatively from rhizomes

FURTHER READINGS

Bachheti, R. K., Rawat, G. S., Joshi, A., & Pandey, D. P. (2013). Phytochemical investigation of aerial parts of Canna indica collected from Uttarakhand India. International Journal of PharmTech Research.

Lim, T. K., & Lim, T. K. (2016). Canna indica. In Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7276-1_3

Srivastava, J., & Vankar, P. S. (2010). Canna indica flower: New source of anthocyanins. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2010.08.011

Srivastava, J., & Vankar, P. S. (2015). Carotenoids: As natural food colorant from Canna flowers. Pigment and Resin Technology. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-12-2013-0112

Canavalia ensiformis

NAME: Canavalia ensiformis   

FAMILY: Leguminosae

COMMON NAMES: Wonder bean, Sword bean, horse bean

LOCAL NAMES: Ponpondo, sese-nla

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: This is an annual to short-lived perennial plant that can be bushy or twining plant up to about 2m in height. It is resistant to drought because of it deep roots

USEFUL PART(s): seed, pod

GENERAL USES:

• The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute

• Young foliage is edible

• Unripe seeds are cooked and eaten like broad beans

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

• Central America, Caribbean.

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Antibiotic

• antiseptic

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• It is cultivated as a cover crop to conserve and fertilize the soil for other crops

• The beans are mildly toxic, and copious consumption should be avoided

FUN FACT

FURTHER READINGS

Mubiru, D. N., & Coyne, M. S. (2009). Legume cover crops are more benefi cial than natural fallows in minimally tilled ugandan soils. Agronomy Journal. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2007.0391

Postal, M., Martinelli, A. H. S., Becker-Ritt, A. B., Ligabue-Braun, R., Demartini, D. R., Ribeiro, S. F. F., Pasquali, G., Gomes, V. M., & Carlini, C. R. (2012). Antifungal properties of Canavalia ensiformis urease and derived peptides. Peptides. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2012.08.010

Sridhar, K. R., & Seena, S. (2006). Nutritional and antinutritional significance of four unconventional legumes of the genus Canavalia - A comparative study.Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.07.049

Canarium schweinfurthii

NAME:    Canarium schweinfurthii

FAMILY: Burseraceae

COMMON NAMES: African Elemi, aiele,bush candle tree

LOCAL NAMES: Origbo, Paapo, agbabubu, atile, Mbiji

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:  is a large, evergreen fruit producing forest tree. Height exceeding 50 m.                                      

USEFUL PART(s): Bark, seed, fruit

GENERAL USES:

• The seeds are edible

• The resin is used as a fumigant against mosquitoes

• The bark of young trees is split off in Gabon to make boxes

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

• Senegal, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria and Angola.

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Black tongue

• round worm

• gonorrhea

• stomach disorders

• leprosy

• ulcers

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Unknown

FUN FACT

• Because of similarities in their fruit and leaves, African elemi may be confused with Dacryodes edulis.

FURTHER READING

Aji, M. M., Gutti, B., Highina, B. K., & Kyari, S. A. (2015). Soxhlet Extraction and Characterization of Oil From Schweinfurthii ( Black Date ) Fruits for Domestic Purpose. Applied Research Journal.

Jazet Dongmo, P. M., Tchoumbougnang, F., Ndongson, B., Agwanande, W., Sandjon, B., Amvam Zollo, P. H., & Menut, C. (2010). Chemical characterization, antiradical, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the essential oils of Canarium schweinfurthii and Aucoumea klaineana (Burseraceae) growing in Cameron. Agric.Biol.J.North America.

Koudou, J., Abena, A. A., Ngaissona, P., & Bessière, J. M. (2005). Chemical composition and pharmacological activity of essential oil of Canarium schweinfurthii. Fitoterapia. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2005.06.004

Calotropis procera

NAME:    Calotropis procera

FAMILY: Apocynaceae

COMMON NAMES: Giant milk weed, sodom apple, king's crown

LOCAL NAMES: Bomubomu, Tumfatiya, Faftan

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: This is a flowering plant growing up to 4m or more tall. It is a shrub a deep taproot, 3-4 m deep, and a secondary root system with woody lateral roots that may rapidly regenerate adventitious shoots when the plant is injured

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

GENERAL USES:

• The leaves have been used as a soup ingredient in sauces

• The stems yield a fibre useful for making ropes, bags, nets and paper

• Medicinal purpose

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

• North Africa, tropical Africa, Western Asia, South Asia.

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Diarrhoea,

• Dysentery

• Elephantiasis

• Leprosy

• Chronic eczema

• Ringworm

• Cough

• Diaphoretic

• Emetic

• Asthma

• Abortifacient

• Convulsion

• Antipyretic.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Calotropis extracts, chopped leaves, and latex have shown in vitro and in vivo nematicidal properties.

• The milky sap of the plant is poisonous some of which are steroidal heart poisons known as "cardiac aglycones”

FUN FACT

• Calotropis extracts, chopped leaves, and latex have shown in vitro and in vivo nematicidal properties

FURTHER READINGS

Chundattu, S. J., Agrawal, V. K., & Ganesh, N. (2016). Phytochemical investigation of Calotropis procera. Arabian Journal of Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2011.03.011

Hassan, L. M., Galal, T. M., Farahat, E. A., & El-Midany, M. M. (2015). The biology of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. In Trees - Structure and Function. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-015-1158-7

Rayanatou, I. A., Mahamadou, E. H. G., Garric, G., Harel-Oger, M., Leduc, A., Jardin, J., Briard-Bion, V., Cauty, C., Adakal, H., Grongnet, J. F., & Gaucheron, F. (2017). Physico-chemical characterization of dairy gel obtained by a proteolytic extract from Calotropis procera – A comparison with chymosin. Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.04.039

Calophyllum inophyllum

NAME:    Calophyllum inophyllum

FAMILY: Guttiferae or Calophyllaceae

COMMON NAMES:  Alexandrian laurel, Dillo oil tree,red poon

LOCAL NAMES:  bintangur, Nambagura, tamanu, or kamani.

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION Calophyllum inophyllum is an ornamental plant. It is a medium-sized and slow-growing evergreen tree with a spreading and irregular crown. It usually grows up to 8 to 20 m (26 to 66 ft) in height. All parts of the plant contain a sticky yellowish latex.

GENERAL USES:

• Shipbuilding

• An oil obtained from the seed is edible after being refined

• The mature fruit is burned as a mosquito repellent

• The stones of the fruit are used as marbles

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

• Calophyllum inophyllum is native to Africa, South, Southeast and East Asia, Australia

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Purgative

• Eye infection

• migraine

• astringent

• ulcers

• gonorrhea

• boils and ophthalmia

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• The sap of the tree is poisonous

• The leaves contain compounds that are poisonous to fish

FUN FACT

• In Australia a fine of £10 is inflicted on any person who cuts down Alexandrian laurel.

FURTHER READINGS

Lim, T. K., & Lim, T. K. (2012). Calophyllum inophyllum. In Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1764-0_2

Ong, H. C., Mahlia, T. M. I., Masjuki, H. H., & Norhasyima, R. S. (2011). Comparison of palm oil, Jatropha curcas and Calophyllum inophyllum for biodiesel: A review. In Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.05.005

Susanto, D. F., Aparamarta, H. W., Widjaja, A., & Gunawan, S. (2017). Identification of phytochemical compounds in Calophyllum inophyllum leaves. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2017.08.001

Caloncoba glauca

Wikipedia

NAME: Caloncoba glauca

FAMILY: Flacourtiaceae

COMMON NAMES: Caloncoba

LOCAL NAMES: Kakandika, pomuseghe

MORPHOLOGY DESCRIPTION: A small tree about 15 m tall native to rainforests in western Tropical Africa with a spreading crown of simple leaves and attractive, white and orange flowers followed by edible fruits.

USEFUL PART(s): Seeds, root, bark, leaf

GENERAL USES:

• Medicinal purpose

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

• Cameroon, Congo, Guinea, Cote d’ivoire

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Leprosy

• skin lesions

• pustular skin eruptions

• migraines

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Though the fruit is edible the seed can be poisonous to animals

FUN FACTS

• In Congo (Brazzaville) leaf-sap is put on the temples to relieve migraine

FURTHER READINGS

Mpetga, J. D. S., Tene, M., Wabo, H. K., Li, S. F., Kong, L. M., He, H. P., Hao, X. J., & Tane, P. (2012). Cytotoxic cycloartanes from the fruits of Caloncoba glauca. Phytochemistry Letters. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytol.2011.12.006

Simo Mpetga, J. D., He, H. P., Hao, X. J., Leng, Y., & Tane, P. (2014). Further cycloartane and friedelane triterpenoids from the leaves of Caloncoba glauca. Phytochemistry Letters. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytol.2013.09.015

Calliandra portoricensis

Wikipedia

NAME: Calliandra portoricensis

FAMILY: Leguminosae

COMMON NAMES: Corpse awakener, snowflake acacia 

LOCAL NAMES: Tude, ule, Oga, Mbuceioro

MORPHOLOGY DESCRIPTION: Corpse awakener is a large shrub or small tree with small bipinnate leaves have a feathery appearance and fluffy white flowers

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, twigs, roots

GENERAL USES:

• Medicinal uses

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

• West Indies, Mexico and Panama

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Fevers

• convulsions,

• treatment of breast engorgement,

• stomach disorders,

• purgative

• amenorrhoea,

• headache

• lumbago

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Susceptible to red spider mite and mealy bugs

FUN FACTS

FURTHER READING

Adaramoye, O., Erguen, B., Oyebode, O., Nitzsche, B., Höpfner, M., Jung, K., & Rabien, A. (2015). Antioxidant, antiangiogenic and antiproliferative activities of root methanol extract of Calliandra portoricensis in human prostate cancer cells. Journal of Integrative Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60175-3

Aguwa, C. N., & Lawal, A. M. (1988). Pharmacologic studies on the active principles of calliandra portoricensis leaf extracts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(88)90231-0

Akah, P. A., & Nwaiwu, J. I. (1988). Anticonvulsant activity of root and stem extracts of Calliandra portoricensis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(88)90128-6

Amadi, P. U., Agomuo, E. N., Bob-Chile Agada, A. I., Njoku, U. C., Ifeanacho, M. O., Okereke, J. C., Iheka, C. U., & Osuoha, J. O. (2018). Toxicities of selected medicinal plants and floras of lower phyla. Alexandria Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajme.2018.05.001

Hernandez, H. M. (1989). Systematics of Zapoteca (Leguminosae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. https://doi.org/10.2307/2399649

Calliandra haematocephala

Wikipedia

NAME: Calliandra haematocephala

FAMILY: Leguminosae/ Mimosaceae

COMMON NAMES:  Calliandra, Powderpuff

LOCAL NAMES: Tude, ule

MORPHOLIGICAL DESCRIPTION: Powderpuff is an ornamental shrub of 12 to 15 feet height with red or pink flower. The fruits are brown color.

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, barks, stem, roots

GENERAL USES:

• It is an ornamental plant

• Powderpuff has medical benefits

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

• Native to tropical America, Philippine

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Antimicrobials,

• anti-inflammatory,

• anticonvulsant,

• hemorrhoids.

• immunomodulatory

• antiulcerogenic

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Unknown

FUN FACTS

• Decoction of the flowers used as blood purifier and tonic

FURTHER READINGS

Bahieldeen, A., Mourad, M. M., & Alsafa, H. M. (2010). Molecular Taxonomy of some Selected Taxa of Subfamily Mimosoideae. Journal of American Science.

McCoy, R. E., Basham, H. G., & Davis, R. E. (1982). Powder puff spiroplasma: A new epiphytic mycoplasma. Microbial Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02010450

Nia, R., Adesanya, S., Okeke, I., Illoh, H., & Adesina, S. (1999). ANTIBACTERIAL CONSTITUENTS OF CALLIANDRA HAEMATOCEPHALA. Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine. https://doi.org/10.4314/njnpm.v3i1.11761

Zhang, W., Yin, Z., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., & Kang, W. (2018). Volatiles in Flowers, Stems, and Leaves of Calliandra haematocephala. Chemistry of Natural Compounds. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10600-018-2336-9

Calendula officinalis

Wikipedia

NAME: Calendula officinalis

FAMILY:  Asteraceae

COMMON NAMES:  Marigold, Pot Marigold, ruddles

LOCAL NAMES: Ododo-Maria

MORPHOLIGICAL DESCRIPTION: Calendula officinalis is a short-lived aromatic herbaceous perennial. The flowers maybe orange or yellow. The plant grows to about 30cm with branching stems that are slightly or moderately hairy or sticky.

USEFUL PART(s): flower, leave and root

GENERAL USES

• Pot marigold florets and leaves are edible.

• They are often used to add color to salads and food generally

• It also has medicinal benefits.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

• Australia and New Zealand

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• treating sore throat and mouth,

• menstrual cramps,

• cancer

• pain and swelling (inflammation)

• stomach and duodenal ulcers.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Calendula may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family.

FUN FACTS

• Pot marigold is one of the few plants which is considered astringent despite not being high in tannins.

• Plant pharmacological studies have suggested that Calendula extracts may have anti-viral, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro

FURTHER READING

Efstratiou, E., Hussain, A. I., Nigam, P. S., Moore, J. E., Ayub, M. A., & Rao, J. R. (2012). Antimicrobial activity of Calendula officinalis petal extracts against fungi, as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive clinical pathogens. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.02.003

Lastra Valdés, H., & Piquet García, R. (1999). Calendula officinalis. In Revista Cubana de Farmacia. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-952092

Ong, H. C., Mahlia, T. M. I., Masjuki, H. H., & Norhasyima, R. S. (2011). Comparison of palm oil, Jatropha curcas and Calophyllum inophyllum for biodiesel: A review. In Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.05.005

Preethi, K. C., Kuttan, G., & Kuttan, R. (2006). Antioxidant potential of an extract of Calendula officinalis flowers in vitro and in vivo. Pharmaceutical Biology. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880200601009149

Roveroni-Favaretto, L. H. D., Lodi, K. B., & Almeida, J. D. (2009). Topical Calendula officinalis L. successfully treated exfoliative cheilitis: A case report. Cases Journal. https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-1626-2-9077

Calopogonium mucunoides

NAME: Calopogonium mucunoides

FAMILY:  Fabaceae

COMMON NAMES:  calopo, wild ground nut, crab grass

LOCAL NAMES: Apalofa, Agbiri

MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Calopogonium mucunoides is  vigorous, hairy annual or short-lived creeping, twining or trailing, herb, up to several metres long, forming a tangled mass of foliage 30-50 cm thick, with densely pilose stems with long rust-coloured hairs.  

USEFUL PART(s): seed and leaves

GENERAL USES:

• It is an important cover crop for plantation crops

• Green manure to protect the soil surface

• Weed controller

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

• Tropical Americas and the West Indies, Indonesia and Malaysia

WHY IS IT GREEN?

• Diarrhoea,

• Skin infection.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Does not contain toxic factors.

• Weed potential

FURTHER READING

Dinesh, R., Suryanarayana, M. A., Ghoshal Chaudhuri, S., & Sheeja, T. E. (2004). Long-term influence of leguminous cover crops on the biochemical properties of a sandy clay loam Fluventic Sulfaquent in a humid tropical region of India. Soil and Tillage Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2003.11.001

HIDAYATI, N. (2006). Potency of Centrocema pubescence, Calopogonium mucunoides, and Micania cordata for cleaning metal contaminants of gold mines waste. Biodiversitas, Journal of Biological Diversity. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d070102

Leuner, O., Havlik, J., Hummelova, J., Prokudina, E., Novy, P., & Kokoska, L. (2013). Distribution of isoflavones and coumestrol in neglected tropical and subtropical legumes. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.5835

Ribeiro, R. C., Feitoza, R. B. B., Lima, H. R. P., & Geraldo De Carvalho, M. (2015). Phytotoxic effects of phenolic compounds on Calopogonium mucunoides (Fabaceae) roots. Australian Journal of Botany. https://doi.org/10.1071/BT15097

Cajanus cajan

NAME:   Cajanus cajan 

FAMILY: Fabaceae/ Leguminosae.

COMMON NAMES:  Red gram, congo pea, gungo pea, and no-eye pe

LOCAL NAMES: Otili, Orela, Tur, Arhar, Adhaki

MORPHOLOLIGAL DESCRIPTION: Pigeon pea is a short-lived, erect, growing legume plant about 4m tall with erect ribbed, densely pubescent stems

USEFUL PART(s): Seed, leaves, shoot

GENERAL USES:

• Pigeon peas are edible seed, the young shoots and leaves can also be cooked and eaten

• Pigeon peas are also use for medicinal purposes

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

India, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Cajanus cajan medicinal values include

• Smallpox,

• chickenpox,

• diuretic,

• laxative,

• haemostatic,

• astringent,

• measles,

• mouth wash.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

• Pigeon pea was domesticated in India 3,500 years ago.

FURTHER READINGS

Duker-Eshun, G., Jaroszewski, J. W., Asomaning, W. A., Oppong-Boachie, F., & Christensen, S. B. (2004). Antiplasmodial Constituents of Cajanus cajan. Phytotherapy Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1375

Oshodi, A. A., & Ekperigin, M. M. (1989). Functional properties of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) flour. Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/0308-8146(89)90139-8

Sharma, K. K., Sreelatha, G., & Dayal, S. (2006). Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.). In Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0433-3_5

Summerfield, R. J., & Roberts, E. H. (2018). Cajanus cajan. In Handbook of Flowering: Volume I. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351072533

Catharanthus roseus

NAME:  Catharanthus roseus

FAMILY: Apocynaceae

COMMON NAMES: Madagascar periwinkle, rose periwinkle, rosy periwinkle

LOCAL NAMES: kanniedood ("cannot kill")

USEFUL PART(s): roots and shoots

GENERAL USES:

• Curing several diseases

• Ornamental

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

• Madagascar

• South Africa

• Australia

• Bengali

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Catharanthus roseus medicinal values include

• Cures Malaria

• Diabetes

• Hodgkin's lymphoma.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• C. roseus can be extremely toxic if consumed orally by humans

FUN FACT

• The Afrikaans name "kanniedood" ("cannot kill") is often used in South Africa

• Periwinkles are of two types - Foliage periwinkle (which often grows wild on cliffs) and Annual periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus).

FURTHER READINGS

• "Catharanthus roseus". Orpheus Island Research Station – James Cook University. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

• "Factsheet – Catharanthus roseus". Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

• "RHS Plantfinder - Catharanthus roseus". Retrieved 12 January 2018.

• "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 16. Retrieved 24 January 2018.

• van Der Heijden, Robert; Jacobs, Denise I.; Snoeijer, Wim; Hallard, Didier; Verpoorte, Robert (2004). "The Catharanthus alkaloids: Pharmacognosy and biotechnology". Current Medicinal Chemistry. 11 (5): 607–628. doi:10.2174/0929867043455846. PMID 15032608.

• Karasov, Corliss (2001). "Who Reaps the Benefits of Biodiversity?". Environmental Health Perspectives. 109 (12): A582–A587. doi:10.2307/3454734. JSTOR 3454734. PMC 1240518. PMID 11748021.

• Marcone, C.; Ragozzino, A.; Seemuller, E. (1997). "Dodder transmission of alder yellows phytoplasma to the experimental host Catharanthus roseus (periwinkle)". Forest Pathology. 27 (6): 347–350. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0329.1997.tb01449.x.

Caesalpinia pulcherima

NAME: Caesalpinia pulcherima

FAMILY: Leguminosae

COMMON NAMES: Pride of Barbados, paradise flower, flamboyant

LOCAL NAMES: Eko-omode, fa’thangu, niikaéeéi

USEFUL PART(s): Bark,leaves,seeds

GENERAL USES:

• The young seeds and flower are edible and eaten when cooked

• It is cultivated as hedge

• It is use in beautifying the environment

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

• China

• India

• Iraq

• Japan

• Egypt

• Malawi

• Togo

• Nigeria

• Zambia

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Caesalpinia cristata medicinal values include

• Purgative

• Emollient

• Abortifacient

• Emmenagogue

• Astringent

• Diarrhoea

• stomach-aches

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Ornamental value

FUN FACT

• Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a deciduous or evergreen small tree with a scattered canopy, mostly without thorns, reaching up to 5 m high.

• It has a slender, straight, cylindrical bole is and can be without branches for 1 m or more.

FURTHER READINGS

S. A. Deshmukh, N. M. L. M. B. W. S. R. C. D. K. G. (2013). Morphometric Studies in the Genus Caesalpinia L. from Kolhapur District\n. Research & Reviews : Journal of Botany, 2(1), 25--28. Retrieved from http://www.stmjournals.com/sci/index.php?journal=RRJoB&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=25- 28%5Cn

Sheela Devi, A., Rajkumar, J., Modilal, M. R. D., & Ilayaraja, R. (2012). Antimicrobial activities of Avicennia marina, Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Melastoma malabathricum against clinical pathogens isolated from UTI. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences, 3(3).

Caesalpinia cristata

NAME: Caesalpinia cristata

FAMILY: Caesalpiniaceae

COMMON NAMES: Bonduc nut, fever nut, cassie, Akit makit

LOCAL NAMES: Mkomwe, mnamu

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, roots, seeds

GENERAL USES:

• The seeds used for playing boards games and as beads

• The oil derived from the seeds is used for cooking

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

• India

• Thailand

• New Guinea

• Madagascar

• Togo

• Cameroon

• Jamaica

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Caesalpinia cristata medicinal values include

• Antipyretic

• Anthelmintic

• Astringent

• Asthma

• Colic

• Diarrhoea

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

• Caesalpinia cristata is widespread, common and plentiful in forest clearing about 1000m

• It is indigenous in indian subcontinent, tropical areas of Africa and Americas

FURTHER READINGS

Baldim Zanin, J. L., De Carvalho, B. A., Martineli, P. S., Dos Santos, M. H., Lago, J. H. G., Sartorelli, P., … Soares, M. G. (2012). The genus Caesalpinia L. (Caesalpiniaceae): Phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics. Molecules, 17(7), 7887–7902. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules17077887

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

S. A. Deshmukh, N. M. L. M. B. W. S. R. C. D. K. G. (2013). Morphometric Studies in the Genus Caesalpinia L. from Kolhapur District\n. Research & Reviews : Journal of Botany, 2(1), 25--28. Retrieved from http://www.stmjournals.com/sci/index.php?journal=RRJoB&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=25- 28%5Cn