Chrozophora brocchiana (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa Introduction

List of species

General importance
Geographic coverage Africa
Geographic coverage World
Vegetable oil
Medicinal
Forage / feed

Chrozophora brocchiana Vis.

Protologue: Pl. quaed. nilot.: 9 (1862).

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Chrozophora brocchiana occurs from Cape Verde and Mauritania throughout the Sahel region east to Sudan, and is also found in Algeria and Egypt.

In the Hoggar region of Mali and Niger, the plant ash is applied to sores of humans and camels. In Niger the Hausa people rub crushed leaves on the affected sites to treat stitch in the side. The aerial parts are taken in decoction to strengthen lactating mothers and their children, and to treat fever and dysentery. In Benin powdered dried leaves in water are taken to treat diarrhoea. Root sap in water is used as ear drops to treat otitis.

In Senegal the plant is not browsed by most stock, except occasionally by sheep and goats, as it causes vomiting and diarrhoea. In Niger though, it is sought after by goats and at certain times of the year also by cattle. It is not suitable for making hay or silage. In central Sudan a sweet, non-drying oil is pressed from the seeds.

Analysis of the chemical content of the aerial parts revealed an unusually high silica content. The aqueous methanol extract of the aerial parts contains brocchiana carboxylic acid, an analogue of brevifolin carboxylic acid, as well as gallic acid, methyl gallate, ethyl gallate, ellagic acid, mono- and di-methoxy ellagic acid, apigenin and luteolin 7-O-glucoside.

The analysis of the fatty acid composition of the seed oil showed linoleic acid as the major component, followed by palmitic, oleic and stearic acids.

Monoecious, shrubby herb up to 60(–150) cm tall; taproot stout and very long; stem ascending, knotty, much-branched from the base, white-velvety hairy with stellate hairs. Leaves alternate, simple; stipules small; petiole long; blade angular-ovate to triangular-ovate, 2.5–4 cm × 1.5–3 cm, base deeply cordate with 2 glands, apex rounded, margins undulate, upper surface sparsely hairy, lower surface velvety hairy, 3-veined at base. Inflorescence a condensed axillary raceme, with male flowers at the top and female flowers at the base; bracts small. Flowers unisexual, regular, 5-merous; calyx velvety hairy, petals deep red; male flowers with short pedicel, stamens up to 10, filaments fused into a column; female flowers with pedicel elongating in fruit to 6 mm long, petals smaller than in male flowers, ovary superior, 3-celled, styles 3, fused at base, 2-fid at apex. Fruit a 3-lobed capsule c. 1 cm long, densely covered with white or violet-tinged, shiny stalked scales, 3-seeded. Seeds ovoid, smooth, yellowish brown, covered by a thin, pale, shiny aril.

Chrozophora comprises 7–8 species and is distributed in Africa, southern Europe and Asia.

Chrozophora brocchiana grows on sandy soils in dry regions. It resprouts throughout the dry season.

Chrozophora brocchiana is common in its distribution area and not in danger of genetic erosion.

Chrozophora brocchiana has several interesting medicinal uses, e.g. against diarrhoea, but no pharmacological studies have been effected to elucidate effects of the isolated compounds. The plant is important as a fodder of cattle in some times of the year although there is contradiction concerning the toxicity of the aerial parts. It would therefore be interesting to investigate Chrozophora brocchiana phytochemically.

• Burkill, H.M., 1994. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 2, Families E–I. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 636 pp.

• Hawas, U.W., 2006. Brocchiana carboxylic acid; the analogue of brevifolin carboxylic acid, isolation and identification from Chrozophora brocchiana. Planta Medica 72(11). Poster 013.

• Keay, R.W.J., 1958. Euphorbiaceae. In: Keay, R.W.J. (Editor). Flora of West Tropical Africa. Volume 1, part 2. 2nd Edition. Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations, London, United Kingdom. pp. 364–423.

• Mirghani, M.E.S., Hussein, I.H., Dagne, E. & Bekele, T., 1996. A comparative study of seed oils of Chrozophora brochiana and Guizotia abyssinica. Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia 10(2): 161–164.

• Neuwinger, H.D., 1996. African ethnobotany: poisons and drugs. Chapman & Hall, London, United Kingdom. 941 pp.

• Adam, J.G., Echard, N. & Lescot, M., 1972. Plantes médicinales Hausa de l’Ader. Journal d’Agriculture Tropicale et de Botanique Appliquée 19(8–9): 259–399.

• Adjanohoun, E.J., Ahyi, M.R.A., Aké Assi, L., Dan Dicko, L., Daouda, H., Delmas, M., de Souza, S., Garba, M., Guinko, S., Kayonga, A., N'Golo, D., Raynal, J. & Saadou, M., 1985. Médecine traditionnelle et pharmacopée - Contribution aux études ethnobotaniques et floristiques au Niger. Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, Paris, France. 250 pp.

• Bartha, R., 1970. Fodder plants in the Sahel zone of Africa. Weltforum Verlag, München, Germany. 306 pp.

• Prain, D., 1918. The genus Chrozophora. Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information Kew 1918(2–3): 49–120.

• G.H. Schmelzer, PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands

Schmelzer, G.H., 2007. Chrozophora brocchiana (Vis.) Schweinf. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. Accessed 3 April 2025.

• See the Prota4U database.