Sacoglottis gabonensis

Sacoglottis gabonensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Humiriaceae
Genus:	Sacoglottis
Species:	S. gabonensis
Binomial name
Sacoglottis gabonensis (Baill.) Urb.
Synonyms[1]
Aubrya gabonensis Baill. Houmiri gabonensis Baill.

Sacoglottis gabonensis, commonly known as bitterbark tree or cherry mahogany is a medium to large sized evergreen tree within the Humiriaceae family.[2] It is the only species within the genus, Sacoglottis that is native to tropical Africa, another, guianensis Benth. being native to Amazonia.[1] It occurs in rainforests or on sandy soils of Senegal eastwards to Angola in central Africa. It is traded locally and known in some countries under the name Ozouga.[3]

Description

A large species that can reach 40 metres (130 ft) tall and a diameter of 1.8 m (6 ft) at maturity, it has a scaly dark brown bark with pustulate lenticels and a red-brown slash, its trunk is crooked but occasionally straight while the base is irregular, with wide spreading buttressed roots or deeply fluted surface roots.[4] Leaves are simple, alternate and distichous in arrangement, with a coriaceous surface that is dull green in color; stipules up to 1 mm long, petiole is 6 to 10 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in) long; leaf-blade is narrowly ovate, elliptic or oblong in outline, 6 to 15 cm (2.4 to 5.9 in) long and 2.5 to 6 cm (1.0 to 2.4 in) wide.[4] Inflorescence is axillary cymes, bracts are 1 to 2 mm (0.0 to 0.1 in) long, pedicel is 0.5 to 1.5 mm (0.02 to 0.06 in) long. Fruit is an ellipsoid drupe, greenish to yellow when ripe, 1-5 seeded.[4]

Chemistry

The chemical compound, Bergenin has been isolated from the stem bark of Sacoglottis gabonensis.[5]

Uses

Stem bark extracts is used as a palm wine additive for the preservation and potency of the alcoholic drink,[5] while fruits of the species are favored by the African bush elephants at the Lope National Park.Some monkeys are also adapted to eat their hard seeds.[6] Its wood is used in local marine related works such as canoe and boat making and bridge construction, it is also a good source of firewood.

References

1. "Sacoglottis gabonensis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
2. Schmelzer, G. H., Gurib-Fakim, A., Arroo, R., Bosch, C. H., de Ruijter, A., Simmonds, M. S. J., Lemmens, R. H. M. J., & Oyen, L. P. A. (2008). Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 11(1) : Medicinal plants 1. (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa; No. 11(1)). PROTA Foundation [etc.]. https://edepot.wur.nl/417238
3. "Ozouga (Sacoglottis gabonensis)". ITTO. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
4. 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. pp. 116–120. ISBN 90-220-0701-4. OCLC 63303450.
5. Maduka, H.C.C; Okoye, Z.S.C; Eje, A (2002). "The influence of Sacoglottis gabonensis stem bark extract and its isolate bergenin, Nigerian alcoholic beverage additives, on the metabolic and haematological side effects of 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine-induced tissue damage". Vascular Pharmacology. 39 (6): 317–324. doi:10.1016/S1537-1891(03)00042-9. PMID 14567070.
6. White, Lee J. T. (1994). "Sacoglottis gabonensis fruiting and the seasonal movements of elephants in the Lopé Reserve, Gabon". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 10 (1): 121–125. doi:10.1017/S0266467400007768. ISSN 0266-4674. S2CID 85796497.