Phytolacca dodecandra (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)
| Phytolacca dodecandra (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007) |
Phytolacca dodecandra Phytolaccaceae Indigenous
Common names
- English:
- Afargna:
- Agewgna: Sebeti
- Agnuakgna:
- Amargna: Indod
- Bertagna:
- Borenagna:
- Gamogna:
- Gimirigna:
- Gumuzgna:
- Guragigna:
- Haderigna:
- Kefgna:
- Kembatgna:
- Konsogna:
- Mejengrgna:
- Nuyergna:
- Oromugna: Handode, Indodi
Ecology
A shrub commonly found in degraded riverine woodland and secondary forest areas of Dry, Moist and Wet Weyna Dega agroclimatic zones in all regions, 1,500- 3,000 m.
Uses
Medicine (roots, fruit, leaves, seed), soil conservation, soap (fruit).
Description
A climbing or scrambling shrub which can be a strong liane in riverine forest; long hanging branches to 9 m.
- LEAVES: Shiny oval to 25 cm, tip blunt, stalk and midrib pink, rather thick and juicy.
- FLOWERS: Strongly scented, cream-green, on spikes to 40 cm, often opposite leaves, each flower with many stamens on a fleshy disc, 5 sepals but no petals.
- FRUIT: Rounded soft fruit to 7 mm across, orange-red when ripe, a seed in each section.
Propagation
Seedlings, cuttings.
Seed
Seed is easily collected from dry fruit.
- Treatment: Not necessary.
- Storage: Can be stored.
Management
Trimming. Layering and leading it to grow on live fence.
Remarks
This is a very poisonous plant, both to people and grazing animals. The leaves and roots are particularly poisonous. It should, therefore, be used with great care as an overdose of medicine can cause death. Sheep and cattle have died from eating the leaves during drought. Juice from the leaves or roots can cause abortion, and, suitably applied, can kill sperm. The commonest medicinal use is for killing intestinal worms. The juice can also be used to kill mosquito larvae in ponds. It can also kill snails and the organism that causes bilharzia (schistosomiasis) in man in its early stages. The fruits are widely used as a soap substitute for washing clothes.
