Sterculia setigera
| Sterculia setigera | |
|---|---|
| |
| Nuts and seeds | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Sterculia |
| Species: | S. setigera
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sterculia setigera Delile
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Sterculia setigera is a deciduous tree species within the Malvaceae family. It commonly occurs in the Sahelo-Sudan and Guinea savannah zones of Tropical Africa. Among the Hausa people it is known as Kukkuki[3] and Boɓori among Fulani people of Nigeria.[4] It is an important tree crop in Senegal as Gum karaya obtained from the woody species is exported from the country.[5][6]
Description
[edit | edit source]A deciduous tree that is capable of reaching 18 meters in height,[7] it has an open spreading crown with buttressed base, its grey purple bark peels off in thin, irregular scales[5] leaving pale patches, while a slash reveals a fibrous, brownish to red inner bark and a white exudate.
Leaves are simple and alternate in arrangement, nerves palmately arranged at base with leaves 5 entire or pointed lobes; leaf-blade is ovate to orbicular in outline, upper surface tends to be stellate and tomentose.
Inflorescence is raceme type, calyx, 5 lobed, up to 12 mm in diameter, outer surface is green while inner surface is purple-red. The flowering period begins towards the end of the dry season between the months of February and April.[5] Fruit is a sessile follicle, 6-10 cm long,[7] oblong in shape, grey-green or brown in color and many seeded, follicle can stay on tree even when seeds falls off.
Distribution
[edit | edit source]Occurs from Senegal eastwards to Sudan and Ethiopia and in Angola, found in the savanna ecological zones, frequently on hill or rocky soils and in shallow gritty soils.[5][7]
Chemistry
[edit | edit source]Tests on stem bark extracts of the plant isolated the chemical compound, lupeol and a class of Procyanidin trimers.[8] The sugar properties of the gum obtained from the species consisting of D-galacturonic acid, L-rhamnose, D-galactose[9] is quite similar to those obtained from Sterculia Urens.[10][11]
Uses
[edit | edit source]Seeds are eaten by nomadic groups in Northern Nigeria.[3] A wide spread species, it has multi-purpose functions in various local communities. A decoction of stem bark extracts are used as part of an herbal regimen to treat skin ailments and infections, fever, diarrhea and toothache.[8][12]
References
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