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Margaritaria discoidea
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Phyllanthaceae |
| Tribe: | Phyllantheae |
| Subtribe: | Flueggeinae |
| Genus: | Margaritaria |
| Species: | M. discoidea |
| Binomial name | |
| Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) G.L.Webster | |
| Synonyms | |
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Margaritaria discoidea is a tree in the Phyllanthaceae family, commonly known as the Pheasant-berry, Egossa Red Pear or Bushveld Peacock-berry. These trees are native to the warmer, higher rainfall areas of Africa.
Contents
Taxonomy
This species has a complicated taxonomic history with many synonyms (see taxobox); partially because of its morphological variability. These trees were formerly placed in the genus Phyllanthus and in the Euphorbiaceae family. 4 varieties are now recognized (1981), these having in the past been treated variously as distinct species, subspecies or synonymous with typical M. discoidea.[2] In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, there are 3 varieties:[3]
- M. discoidea var. discoidea
- M. discoidea var. fagifolia
- M. discoidea var. nitida
Distribution
This species is distributed from the coastal areas of the Eastern Cape,[3] South Africa, to Tropical Africa,[3][4] as far as Senegal in West Africa.[4]
Description
A medium to tall tree in forest and riverine situations,[3] where it can grow up to 30 m tall,[5] or a shrub or small tree in dryer and more open situations.[3] The stem is usually straight with rough, flaking bark which is grayish-brown on top and reddish beneath.[3][6][7] The branches of young trees grow horizontally from the stem.[3] The leaves are alternate and produced on one plane. Male and female flowers are produced on separate trees, with both types of flowers being small, greenish-yellow in colour,[3] and fragrant.[8] The fruit is a three-lobed capsule about 10 mm in diameter and golden-brown when ripe.[3] The inner part of the fruit is dark metallic blue-green;[6] giving rise to the name Bushveld Peacock-berry.
Medicinal use
Scientific investigation
In traditional medicine
These trees are used in traditional medicine across Africa: A leaf-decoction is taken in Ivory Coast for blennorrhoea and for poisoning,[11] while in Ubangi a decoction of roots and leafy twigs is also used for blennorrhoea[12] A wash of the decoction is a stimulant in case of general fatigue.[11] The bark is used as a purgative in West Africa and anthelmintic in Central Africa.[9][13] The Fula people use the bark for toothache, in the Central African Republic a decoction is used for post-partum pains, and in the Republic of Congo for stomach and kidney complaints and to facilitate parturition.[5] In Malawi the powdered bark extract is applied to swellings and inflammation for quick relief.[14]
Other uses
As fodder
The dried leaves can be used as a food supplement for sheep.[15]
Forestry and timber
The wood is hard and durable and the trees are fast growing from seed,[3] suggesting that this species may be suitable for agroforestry. The sap-wood is yellowish, and the heartwood is pinkish-white to brownish-red, hard, heavy, of medium texture, not difficult to work and is suitable for cabinetry; finishing smoothly and taking a fine polish.[8] The wood can be sawn into planks and used for ordinary building purposes.[8] These trees have been planted in mixed plantations, with a suggestion that they may have a rotation time of 40 to 60 years.[16]
As an acaricide
Extracts from this plant can be used to kill ticks, including Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum, and an application of a 50% concentrated oil extract on rabbit ears caused a complete inhibition of attachment by adult R. appendiculatus and A. variegatum for at least 4 days.[17] When applied on ticks on cattle in the field, the 50% oil extract induced 100% and 50% mortalities in adult R. appendiculatus and A. variegatum, respectively, by 2 days post-application.[17]
Ecological significance
The leaves are eaten by the larvae of the Scarce Forest Emperor butterfly (Charaxes etesipe tavetensis).[6] The flowers are much visited by bees and other insects. The seeds are a relished food of guineafowl and francolin. Seed in Kenya have attracted Bushbuck.[18] M. discoidea is also eaten by Red Duiker.[19]
References
- ↑ Synonyms reference: http://www.aluka.org/action/showCompilationPage?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.COMPILATION.PLANT-NAME-SPECIES.Margaritaria.discoidea
- ↑ Radcliffe-Smith, A (1981). "Notes on African Euphorbiaceae_ XI_ Margaritaria discoidea_ A Re-Appraisal". Kew Bulletin (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) 36 (2): 219–221. doi:.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei.. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Burkill, H.M. (1994). The useful plants of west Tropical Africa. London, UK: Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.. ISBN 0-947643-56-7.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Adedapo AA, Sofidiya MO, Afolayan AJ (December 2009). "Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the aqueous extracts of Margaritaria discoidea (Euphorbiaceae) stem bark in experimental animal models". Revista De Biología Tropical 57 (4): 1193–200. PMID 20073344.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Van Wyk, B.; Van Wyk, P. (1997). Field guide to trees of Southern Africa (2 ed.). ISBN 1-86825-922-6.
- ↑ Woodhall, S (2005). Field guide to butterflies of South Africa. ISBN 1-86872-724-6.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Entry for Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) Webster [family EUPHORBIACEAE]". http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.UPWTA.2_222&pgs=.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kerharo, J.; Adam, J.G. (1974). La Pharmacopie Senegalese traditionelle. Plants medicinales et Toxiques. Paris, France: Vigot Freres.
- ↑ Weenen et al, 1990
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Adjanohoun & Aké Assi, 1972
- ↑ Portères, s.d.
- ↑ Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962
- ↑ Irvine, F.R. (1961). Woody plants of Ghana. London, UK: Oxford University.
- ↑ Osakwe, I.I.; Steingass, H. (2004). "Quantitative Protein And Fat Metabolism In West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Margaritaria Discoidea As Supplement". Animal Research International 1 (1). http://ajol.info/index.php/ari/article/view/40738/0.
- ↑ Louppe, D.; Oteng-Amoako, A.A.; Brink, M. (2008). Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 7(1): Timbers 1. pp. 333. ISBN 3-8236-1541-6.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Kaaya, Godwin; Mwangi, Esther; Malonza, Mutua (1995). "Acaricidal activity of Margaritaria discoidea (Euphorbiaceae) plant extracts against the ticks Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum (Ixodidae)". International Journal of Acarology 21 (2): 123–129. doi:.
- ↑ Eggeling, W.J.; Dale, I. R. (1952). The indigenous trees of the Uganda Protectorate. Entebbe: Government Printer. p. 491.
- ↑ Van Eeden, D.G. 2006.
