Gardenia ternifolia
Schum. et Thonn.
Large-leaved common gardenia
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Description
A shrub or small spreading tree. It grows to 7 m high. The bark is grey or yellowish-brown and smooth. The small branches occur in rings or 3 at right angles to the branches. They are covered with rusty coloured powder. The leaves are opposite or in rings of 3. They are crowded near the ends of small branches. They are oblong and 13 cm long by 8 cm wide. They are yellowish-green to shiny dark green above. They are paler underneath. There are short hairs on both surfaces. The edges of the leaf is wavy. The flowers are white but turn yellow with age. They are 4 cm across. They have a tube up to 4.5 cm long. The fruit is oval and 5 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. They are finely velvety. They are yellowish-brown when mature. There is the remains of the calyx lobes at the end.
Edible Uses
Fruit. Generaly not edible. The hard, roundish fruit is up to 7cm long. Young leaves - cooked. The leaves are occasionally eaten as a vegetable.
Traditional Uses
CAUTION: The fruit can cause diarrhoea. The fruit are eaten raw.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
A decoction of the roots is used to restore failing strength. When boiled with sorghum flour, the root is used to treat Black Water fever. The macerated root is laxative and vermifuge. It is used in the treatment of stomach aches and kwashiorkor.
Known Hazards
The fruit can cause diarrhoea.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in wooded grassland. In East Africa it grows from sea level to 2,100 m altitude. It grows in the Sahel. It can grow in arid places.
Where It Grows
Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hawaii, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Pacific, Sahel, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, USA, West Africa, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
The plant grows wild on poor, rocky or bouldery soils; compacted soils; sands and laterite crusts. Plants often grow in areas where the soil is seasonally inundated.
Other Uses
A black stain is obtained from the seed - it is used to colour the skin. A fragrant resin, known as Abu Beka, is obtained from the plant. The wood is burnt to provide potash, which is used in making soap. A decoction of the wood ashes is used in dyeing. The light yellow to pale red wood is dense, even-grained and very hard. It is used for making knife and other tool handles.
Notes
There are about 200 Gardenia species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Bouhnirou, Brmaiyta, Dajeda, Dajugo, Duwong, Ekoroi, Erwo, Gaaba, Gambeelloo, Gambilo, Geninyet, Ikuirikua, Kimwemwe, Large-leaved Transvaal gardenia, Mboss, Mukumuti, Odwong, Yellow gardenia
References (32)
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