Boscia salicifolia

Boscia salicifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Capparaceae
Genus:	Boscia
Species:	B. salicifolia
Binomial name
	Boscia salicifolia; Oliv.
Synonyms
	Boscia powellii Sprague & M.L.Green; Boscia stylosa Gilg & Gilg-Ben;

Boscia salicifolia is a deciduous tree with narrowly ovate to linear leaves that grows up to 12 meters in height, it is within the Capparaceae family.[1]

Description

It is a dark-grey barked short to medium sized tree with a short but brittle trunk, the bark is often scaly or rough with white lenticels; it sometimes has dropping branches with drooping leaves.[2][3] Leaves, alternate, with a leathery surface, commonly glabrous above with short fine hairs beneath; leaf-blade is narrowly ovate to linear; petiole is 8-15 mm long.[2] Inflorescence is an axillary raceme or panicle; flowers are green to yellowish in color.[3] Fruit is a spherical berry.

Distribution

Occurs in the Sahel and Sudan savannah vegetations of West Africa, eastwards towards Somalia and southwards towards Botswana and Mozambique. Common on termite mounds, dry lands, hills, ironstone and sandy soils.[3][1]

Chemistry

Test on the leaves of the species identified the presence of flavonoid glycosides including, rhamnetin 3-O-b-neohesperidoside, rhamnocitrin 3-0-b-glucopyranoside and rhamnetin 3-0-b-glucopyranoside.[4]

Uses

In some parts of Africa, the leaves of Boscia salicifolia are prepared as a vegetable soup. In traditional medical practice, plant extracts are utilized to help heal wounds,[2] used as a dewormer and as a decoction to treat tuberculosis, joint pains and ear infections.[2] Root bark extracts is used as an aphrodisiac.[1]

References

Arbonnier, Michel (2004). Trees, Shrubs and Lianas of West African Dry Zones. Editions Quae. p. 236. ISBN 978-2-87614-579-5. OCLC 56937881.
Maroyi, Alfred (August 2019). "Boscia salicifolia: review of its botany, medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities". Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 11 (8): 3055–3060. ProQuest 2284955089.
Schmelzer, Gaby H.; Gurib-Fakim, Ameenah; Schmelzer, Gabriella Harriet (2008). Medicinal Plants. PROTA. p. 24. ISBN 978-90-5782-204-9. OCLC 297222192.
Walter, Angelika; Séquin, Urs (January 1990). "Flavonoids from the leaves of Boscia salicifolia". Phytochemistry. 29 (8): 2561–2563. Bibcode:1990PChem..29.2561W. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(90)85188-L.

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[:0-1] Arbonnier, Michel (2004). Trees, Shrubs and Lianas of West African Dry Zones. Editions Quae. p. 236. ISBN 978-2-87614-579-5. OCLC 56937881.

[:1-2] Maroyi, Alfred (August 2019). "Boscia salicifolia: review of its botany, medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities". Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 11 (8): 3055–3060. ProQuest 2284955089.

[:2-3] Schmelzer, Gaby H.; Gurib-Fakim, Ameenah; Schmelzer, Gabriella Harriet (2008). Medicinal Plants. PROTA. p. 24. ISBN 978-90-5782-204-9. OCLC 297222192.

[4] Walter, Angelika; Séquin, Urs (January 1990). "Flavonoids from the leaves of Boscia salicifolia". Phytochemistry. 29 (8): 2561–2563. Bibcode:1990PChem..29.2561W. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(90)85188-L.