Gardenia erubescens

A shrub or small tree, the species grows to 3 meters in height. Leaves are opposite, grows on the end of short branches and grouped in tufts, when dry, the foliage have a purple greyish color on the upper surface which becomes a little duller beneath,[2][1] both sides are glabrous. Stipules are 2–4 mm long, leaf-blade is broadly obovate.[1] Inflorescence; flowers are solitary or in small clusters, calyx is tubular consisting of 6 linear lobes, corolla, also is in a tubular form, consisting of about 6 elliptic lobes. Fruit has an ellipsoid or ovoid shape, it is yellowish in color when ripe, about 3–8 cm long.[1][3]

Commonly occurs in woodland savannas in West African countries of Senegal, Nigeria, and eastwards towards Central Africa.

Test on plant extracts identified the presence of the compounds beta-sitosterol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and a group of methylated flavonoids that includes 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone and triterpenoids.[4][5][6]

In parts of Northern Nigeria, a decoction of the species is used to treat a variety of health issues including gonorrhea, ascites and loss of appetite, extracts are also used as an aphrodisiac and stimulant.[4] Its edible fruit are consumed by locals.