Myrianthus holstii
| Myrianthus holstii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Urticaceae |
| Genus: | Myrianthus |
| Species: | M. holstii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Myrianthus holstii Engl.
| |
Myrianthus holstii is a plant species within the family Urticaceae. It grows either as a shrub or tree. It is considered a dioecious species but a monoecious tree has been observed.[1]
Description[edit]
Species grows as a shrub or a tree, as a tree it can reach an height of 20 m.[2] It has a spreading crown and a short trunk, and the base of the tree has strong stilt roots; the bark is light brown and the slash is pinkish in color. Leaves are palmately compound with 3 - 8 leaflets, the upper surface is commonly glabrous while the veins on the lower surface is regularly covered in short minute hairs.[2] Petiole and stipule are present, the petiole can reach up to 35 cm long and the stipule is caducous and can reach about 4 cm long.[2] Leaflets can reach a length of 60 cm and width of about 32 cm, the outline is oblanceolate to oblong - elliptic and the margin tends to be subentire or serrate to dentate.[2]
Fuit is cone like with a hard outer surface, orange to yellow when ripe.
Distribution and habitat[edit]
Occurs in Central and East Africa, from the democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania southwards to Tanzania. Found in moist montane forest environments or near rivers.[2]
Ecology[edit]
The African bush elephant, eastern gorillas and chimpanzees have been observed to eat the fruits of Myrianthus holstii and also strip the stems for foliage.[1]
Uses[edit]
In ethnomedicine, a decoction of bark extracts of the species is used in the treatment of malaria and also as an anti cough medicine, while leaves are used as a galactogogue and also in the treatment of a variety of ailments including hearth issues and pregnancy complications.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Kissa, David Ocama; Ssali, Fredrick; Sheil, Douglas (2023). "Sex ratios, damage and distribution of Myrianthus holstii Engl.: a dioecious afromontane forest tree". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 39. doi:10.1017/S0266467422000499. ISSN 0266-4674.
- ^ a b c d e de Ruiter, G. (1976-12-31). "Revision of the Genera Myrianthus and Musanga (Moraceae)". Bulletin du Jardin botanique national de Belgique / Bulletin van de National Plantentuin van België. 46 (3/4): 471–510. doi:10.2307/3667730. JSTOR 3667730.
- ^ Bussmann, Rainer W.; Paniagua-Zambrana, Narel Y.; Njoroge, Grace N. (2021), Bussmann, Rainer W. (ed.), "Myrianthus holstii Engl. Urticaceae", Ethnobotany of the Mountain Regions of Africa, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 717–719, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-38386-2_110, ISBN 978-3-030-38385-5, retrieved 2024-02-06