Pycnobotrya nitida

Family

Apocynaceae

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Synonyms

Pycnobotrya multiflora K.Schum. ex Stapf (1902).

Vernacular names

Origin and geographic distribution

Pycnobotrya nitida occurs in West and Central Africa, from Nigeria to the Central African Republic and DR Congo.

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Uses

In Congo the leaves of Pycnobotrya nitida are eaten with other food to treat chest infections and the latex is taken to treat haematuria, diarrhoea and dysentery. These treatments are supplemented by wearing a cord made from the bark of Pycnobotrya nitida and Haumantia sp. round the neck or chest. Leaves are also eaten either as a vegetable or to treat bronchitis. Fibre obtained from the bark is used to make cords, e.g. for crossbows.

Properties

There is no information on the chemical composition of Pycnobotrya nitida except that it contains steroids and terpenes.

Botany

Large liana, up to 40 m long, with white latex, turning pale yellow; stem up to 12 cm in diameter; bark dark brown, smooth; branches terete, dark red-brown. Leaves opposite or in whorls of 3, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole 3–7 mm long, inserted on distinct leaf cushions; blade narrowly elliptical, 8–15 cm × 2–5 cm, base cuneate, apex obtuse or acuminate, leathery, glossy, dotted with many black glands, pinnately veined with many straight, parallel, inconspicuous lateral veins. Inflorescence an axillary or terminal panicle 3–15 cm × 2–20 cm, first ramifications lax, others congested, rusty-hairy; peduncle 1–5 cm long; bracts ovate to narrowly elliptical, up to 6 mm long. Flowers bisexual, regular but with the sepals unequal, 5-merous, fragrant; pedicel 1–3 mm long; sepals free or nearly so, ovate, c. 1 mm long, apex obtuse, ciliate; corolla tube campanulate, 1–2 mm long, lobes oblong, 3–5(–7) mm long, with obtuse apex, upcurved at the left side, contorted and overlapping to the left, spreading, dark pink, usually turning paler at anthesis, with or without pale yellow throat; stamens inserted near the base of the corolla tube, included, anthers narrowly triangular, with auricles at base, apex acuminate; ovary superior, almost globose, consisting of 2 free carpels; styles fused, very short, stigma conical, bifid. Fruit composed of two free, obliquely elliptical, laterally compressed follicles 5–7 cm long, widely spreading, 2-valved, 1–4-seeded. Seeds flattened, obliquely oblong, 4–6 cm long, surrounded by a papery wing, transparent except for the margins.
Pycnobotrya comprises a single species and seems related to the American genus Aspidosperma.

Description

Other botanical information

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Ecology

Pycnobotrya nitida occurs in forest, often on river banks, at low altitudes.

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Genetic resources and breeding

Because it is widespread and in several regions common, Pycnobotrya nitida does not seem to be threatened by genetic erosion.

Prospects

Pycnobotrya nitida will remain a medicinal plant of only local importance. Information is needed on its pharmacological properties and phytochemistry. Its value as a vegetable deserves further research.

Major references

• Burkill, H.M., 1985. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 1, Families A–D. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 960 pp.
• Neuwinger, H.D., 2000. African traditional medicine: a dictionary of plant use and applications. Medpharm Scientific, Stuttgart, Germany. 589 pp.
• van der Ploeg, J., 1983. A revision of Isonema R.Br. and Pycnobotrya Benth. (Apocynaceae). Mededelingen Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen 83–4. Wageningen, Netherlands. 20 pp.

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Other references

• Bouquet, A., 1969. Féticheurs et médecines traditionnelles du Congo (Brazzaville). Mémoires ORSTOM No 36. Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer. Paris, France. 282 pp.

Author(s)

•	A. de Ruijter PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands

Editors

•	G.H. Schmelzer PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
•	A. Gurib-Fakim Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius

Associate editors

•	C.H. Bosch PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
•	M.S.J. Simmonds Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, United Kingdom
•	R. Arroo Leicester School of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, United Kingdom
•	A. de Ruijter PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands

General editors

•	R.H.M.J. Lemmens PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
•	L.P.A. Oyen PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands

Correct citation of this article

de Ruijter, A., 2006. Pycnobotrya nitida Benth. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>. Accessed .

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