Rinorea dentata
Rinorea dentata, commonly known as kuntze, is a species of plant in the family Violaceae. It is found in the tropical rainforests of Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon and Uganda. It is particularly common in the Omo Forest Reserve in Ogun State, Nigeria.[1][2]
| Rinorea dentata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Violaceae |
| Genus: | Rinorea |
| Species: | R. dentata |
| Binomial name | |
| Rinorea dentata (P. Beauv.) | |
Description
Rinorea dentata is a large shrub or small tree growing up to 10 m (33 ft) high. It is an understorey tree growing in dense, shady locations in forests. The trunk is very hard, earning the plant the name “Oloboroho” (stone plant) in the Yoruba language.[2]
Uses
The wood of this plant is used as a chewing stick for oral hygiene, and extracts have been used for anti-microbial and anti-malaria purposes as a folk remedy in humans, and as a veterinary remedy for aiding parturition in livestock. Researchers found that the plant contained novel cyclotides, but further research is needed on the efficacy of these extracts.[2]
References
- Ojo, L.O. (2004). "The fate of a tropical rainforest in Nigeria: Abeku sector of Omo Forest Reserve" (PDF). Global Nest: the International Journal. 6 (2): 116–130.
- Attah, Alfred F.; Hellinger, Roland; Sonibare, Mubo A.; Moody, Jones O.; Arrowsmith, Sarah; Wray, Susan; Gruber, Christian W. (2016). "Ethnobotanical survey of Rinorea dentata (Violaceae) used in South-Western Nigerian ethnomedicine and detection of cyclotides". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 179: 183–191. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.12.038. PMC 5858781.