Crotonogyne preussii (PROTA)
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Introduction |
- Protologue: Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 23: 524 (1897).
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
Origin and geographic distribution
Crotonogyne preussii occurs in southern Nigeria, Cameroon and the Central African Republic.
Uses
In eastern Cameroon an infusion of the aerial parts is taken to treat diarrhoea.
Description
Dioecious shrub or small tree up to 8 m tall; young branches with stellate and scaly hairs. Leaves alternate, crowded at apex of branches, simple and entire; stipules small, persistent; petiole up to 2 cm long; blade linear to oblanceolate, up to 55 cm × 13 cm, base cordate-auricled, with 2 large glands, apex acuminate, pinnately veined. Male inflorescence a sessile, erect, axillary raceme up to 60 cm long, many-flowered; female inflorescence a few-flowered fascicle. Flowers unisexual, greenish yellow or white; male flowers with pedicel longer than calyx, calyx split irregularly into 2–3 lobes, covered with scaly hairs, petals c. 5, free, stamens 7–19, free; female flowers larger than male ones, pedicel stout, sepals 5, petals 5, ovary superior, 3-celled, styles 3, free, each divided into 3–8 filiform threads. Fruit a 3-lobed capsule c. 1 cm in diameter, 3-seeded. Seeds ovoid, c. 8 mm long, brown.
Other botanical information
Crotonogyne comprises 16 species and occurs in the forest zone from Liberia to DR Congo. According to the Ebrié people of Côte d’Ivoire, all parts of Crotonogyne strigosa Prain are very poisonous, and there is no antidote against it.
Ecology
Crotonogyne preussii occurs in rainforest at low altitudes.
Genetic resources
Crotonogyne preussii is relatively common in its distribution area and there are no signs that it is threatened by genetic erosion.
Prospects
Crotonogyne preussii will probably remain a medicinal plant of local importance only.
Major references
- 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.
- Govaerts, R., Frodin, D.G. & Radcliffe-Smith, A., 2000. World checklist and bibliography of Euphorbiaceae (with Pandaceae). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 1620 pp.
Other references
- 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.
- Léonard, J., 1962. Euphorbiaceae. In: Robyns, W., Staner, P., Demaret, F., Germain, R., Gilbert, G., Hauman, L., Homès, M., Jurion, F., Lebrun, J., Vanden Abeele, M. & Boutique, R. (Editors). Flore du Congo belge et du Ruanda-Urundi. Spermatophytes. Volume 8, 1. Institut National pour l’Étude Agronomique du Congo belge, Brussels, Belgium. 214 pp.
- Stäuble, N., 1986. Etude ethnobotanique des Euphorbiacées d’Afrique de l’Ouest. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 16: 23–103.
Author(s)
- G.H. Schmelzer, PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
Correct citation of this article
Schmelzer, G.H., 2007. Crotonogyne preussii Pax. 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.
