Monotes africanus
A. DC.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Marco Schmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Marco Schmidt
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Marco Schmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Marco Schmidt
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Marco Schmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Marco Schmidt
Description
A shrub or small tree. It grows 8 m tall. The leaves are 5-10 cm long by 2.5-5.5 cm wide. The flowering shoots are 1.5-3 cm long and in the axils of leaves. The fruit are 1-1.5 cm across. They have wings.
Medicinal Uses
Used medicinally in traditional practice.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Congo DR, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia,
Cultivation
Found in the wild on all kinds of soils, sometimes dominant and forming pure stands on compact heavy soils.
Other Uses
The wood of Monotes species is generally of poor shape and too small to be of much use apart from locally, where it is valued for its hardness and generally good durability The wood is used for poles and tool handles. The wood is used for fuel.
Notes
Possibly food for an edible insect.
Synonyms
References (2)
- Meragelman K, McKee T, Boyd M (2001). Anti-HIV prenylated flavonoids from Monotes africanus. J. Nat. Prod. 64:546-548.
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
