Bridelia grandis

Bridelia grandis is an evergreen tree within the Euphorbiaceae family, it occurs in secondary forests of Central and West Africa. Its wood is traded under the name Assas, a name it shares with Bridelia micrantha.[1][2]

Bridelia grandis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Genus: Bridelia
Species:
B. grandis
Binomial name
Bridelia grandis
Pierre ex Hutch.

Description

The species is capable of reaching 30 meters in height, though usually smaller and reaching a diameter of about 80 cm.[3] Its trunk is straight and cylindrical, the bark is rough and deeply fissured with a dark brown to black appearance.[3] Leaves: simple, alternate distichous arrangement, leathery surface texture, they are commonly red when young before growing into a dark green color at maturity; stipules present, 6 – 10 mm, petiole, 4 – 8 mm long.[3] Leaf blade has an elliptic to obovate outline, apex is acuminate while the base is rounded to cuneate, length within a range of 6 – 14 cm and the width is within a range of 2 – 6 cm; it has persistent soft hairs beneath.[3] Flower, unisexual and largely monoecious. Dark purple colored fruit when ripe with a fleshy mesocarp and hard endocarp.[3]

Distribution

Occurs in West and Central Africa.

Chemistry

Polyphenols and condensed tannins can be extracted from the stem bark, extracts showed some effectiveness against oral streptococci.[4][5]

Uses

Bark extracts used as ingredient in decoction to treat dysentery and improve lactation.[3] In Cameroon, the Baka people use stem bark extracts to treat for oral cavity issues.[5] Wood is used in furniture and canoe making.

References
  1. "Assas (Bridelia grandis)". ITTO. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  2. "Bridelia micrantha (Hochst.) Baill". www.prota4u.org. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  3. Voorhoeve, A. G. (1979). Liberian high forest trees : a systematic botanical study of the 75 most important or frequent high forest trees, with reference to numerous related species (2nd impr ed.). Wageningen: Pudoc. ISBN 90-220-0701-4. OCLC 63303450.
  4. Ngueyem, T.A.; Brusotti, G.; Marrubini, G.; Grisoli, P.; Dacarro, C.; Vidari, G.; Finzi, P.Vita; Caccialanza, G. (2008). "Validation of use of a traditional remedy from Bridelia grandis (Pierre ex Hutch) stem bark against oral Streptococci". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 120 (1): 13–16. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.07.025. PMID 18703125.
  5. Brusotti, Gloria; Ngueyem, Tatiana Adrienne; Biesuz, Raffaela; Caccialanza, Gabriele (2010). "Optimum extraction process of polyphenols from Bridelia grandis stem bark using experimental design: Other Techniques". Journal of Separation Science. 33 (11): 1692–1697. doi:10.1002/jssc.200900717. PMID 20309897.
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