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Xylopia acutiflora

(Dunal) A. Rich.

Annonaceae Edible: Fruit - flavouring

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MBG

gbif· cc-by-nc-sa

MBG

gbif· cc-by-nc-sa

MBG

Xylopia acutiflora (Dunal.) A. Rich is a small tree that grows up to 15 m high, it belongs to the Annonaceae family.

Description

A shrub or medium sized tree. It can be 13-15 m high. The leaves are thin and leathery. The fruit is red or blackish and 5 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. They are curved. The pulp of coral-red. They have a spicy taste.

Edible Uses

In Ghana and among the Ehotile people of Akanland, root extracts from the species is used as a sexual stimulant and as a chewing stick. Seeds are crushed and used as spice, wood obtained are used as material to make canoe paddles, spears or bows.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the rain-forest in West Africa. In Nigeria it is recorded up to 1,800 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, West Africa, Zimbabwe,

Notes

There are between 160-180 Xylopia species worldwide.

Synonyms

Coelocline acutiflora (Dunal) A. DC.Coelocline oxypetala A. DC.Unona acutiflora DunalUnona oxypetala De CandolleXylopia dinklagei Engl. & DielsXylopia oxypetala (De Candolle) Oliv.Xylopia sereti De Wild.Xylopia thomsonii Oliv.Xylopicrum acutiflorum (Dunal) Kuntze

Also Known As

Dwombibre, Guilibete-bade, Hewe, Kimbaa, Ngele-hewei, Tsyo

References (3)

  • Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 1. Kew.
  • Savill, P. S. & Fox, J. E. D., Trees of Sierra Leone. p 40
  • World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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