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

Carapa procera

West African Plants

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

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

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

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

Cannabis sativa.jpg

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

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   

Canavalia ensiformis   .jpg

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