Phytolacca dodecandra (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Phytolacca dodecandra L'Hér.

Protologue: Stirp. nov. 6: 143, pl. 69 (1791).

• Phytolacca abyssinica Hoffm. (1796).

• Endod, soap berry (En).

Central and southern Africa and Madagascar.

The berries are used to control bilharzia-transmitting snails; they are also used as a soap substitute. Parts of the plant have various medicinal uses, e.g. laxative, anthelmintic and in the treatment of respiratory problems.

• A dioecious scandent shrub with branches up to 10 m long.
• Leaves usually ovate, up to 15 cm × 10 cm.
• Flowers in racemes generally longer than leaves, unisexual, stamens 8-15(-20), in 2 whorls, carpels (3-)5(-8), free in fruit.

• [157] Birrie, H., Balcha, F., Erko, B., Bezuneh, A. & Gemeda, N., 1998. Investigation into the cercariacidal and miracidiacidal properties of endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) berries (type 44). East African medicinal Journal 75(5): 311-314.
• [670] Jansen, P.C.M., 1981. Spices, condiments and medicinal plants in Ethiopia, their taxonomy and agricultural significance. Pudoc, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 327 pp.
• [841] Lemma, A., 1970. Laboratory and field evaluation of the molluscicidal properties of Phytolacca dodecandra. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 42: 597-612.
• [877] Lugt, Ch.B., 1986. Phytolacca dodecandra berries as a means of controlling bilharzia transmitting snails. 3rd Edition. Bulletin 312, Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 61 pp.
• [1014] Ndamba, J., Lemmich, E. & Molgaard, P., 1994. Investigation of the diurnal, ontogenetic and seasonal variation in the molluscicidal saponin content of Phytolacca dodecandra aqueous berry extracts. Phytochemistry 35(1): 95-99.
• [1057] Nowicke, J.W., 1969. Palynotaxonomic study of the Phytolaccaceae. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 55(3): 294-364.
• [1563] Westphal, E. & Jansen, P.C.M. (Editors), 1989. Plant Resources of South-East Asia, A selection. Pudoc, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 322 pp.

• Phytolacca (Medicinal plants)

• Razali Yusuf