Strombosia pustulata

Strombosia pustulata is a species of tree in the family Olacaceae (Strombosiaceae in APG IV). It is native to the rainforests of tropical West and Central Africa. Common names for this tree include itako in Nigeria, afina in Ghana, poé in Abé spoken in Côte d'Ivoire[3] and mba esogo in Equatorial Guinea.[4]

Strombosia pustulata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Core eudicots
Order:
Santalales
Family:
Olacaceae
Genus:
Strombosia
Species:
S. pustulata
Binomial name
Strombosia pustulata
Synonyms[2]
  • Strombosia glaucescens Engl.

Description

Strombosia pustulata is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to a height of 25 to 35 m (80 to 110 ft). The trunk is cylindrical and up to a metre in diameter, flaring slightly at the base. The bark is greyish-black with small corky lenticels, developing greenish scales in older trees. The inner bark is thin, hard and yellowish, with a granular texture. The crown is compact and rounded, and the twigs are slightly angled. The leaves have short petioles and are alternate, oblong-elliptical, about 10 cm (4 in) long with asymmetric bases and acute apices; their texture is thick and papery, and they are somewhat pustular in appearance. The flowers are very small and numerous, growing on the twigs, white, yellow or green, with parts in fives. The fruits are globular drupes up to 3 cm (1 in) in diameter, purplish-black when ripe, each enclosed in a fleshy calyx. Each fruit contains a single seed with a wrinkled surface.[5]

Distribution and habitat

Strombosia pustulata is native to the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa, its range extending from Senegal to the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[5] Its typical habitat is well-drained soil in dense forest in high rainfall areas, often beside rivers or lakes, at altitudes of up to about 770 m (2,500 ft).[6]

Human uses

The heartwood is pinkish-brown and the sapwood is thick and yellowish. The timber is hard and durable and is resistant to termites. It is used in construction and for transmission poles, as well as for making tool handles, wood veneers, carving and heavy-duty flooring.[6] The tree is also used in folk medicine, with the bark, leaves and seeds being used for varying purposes in different parts of its range.[5]

Ecology

The fruits are eaten both by birds, such as hornbills, and by elephants, and these play a part in distributing the seeds.[5]

References
  1. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2018). Strombosia pustulata . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T61918341A136113354. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T61918341A136113354.en. Downloaded on 08 March 2020.
  2. "Strombosia pustulata Oliv". The Plant List. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  3. Kerharo, J.; Bouquet, A. (1950). Plantes médicinales et toxiques de la Côte-d’Ivoire - Haute-Volta. Paris: Vigot Frères. p. 138.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  4. "Afina (Strombosia pustulata)". ITTO. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  5. Lemmens, R.H.M.J.; Louppe, D.; Oteng-Amoako, A.A. Timbers 2. PROTA. pp. 607–609. ISBN 978-92-9081-495-5.
  6. "Strombosia pustulata". Useful Tropical Plants. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
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