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<big>''[[Cryptolepis obtusa]]'' N.E.Br.</big>
__NOTOC__
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Cryptolepis obtusa'' (PROTA)}}
:Protologue: Kew Bull.: 110 (1895).
:Chromosome number: 2''n'' = 22
== Origin and geographic distribution ==
The major constituents isolated from the ethanolic leaf extracts are the flavonoids: quercetin, rutin, quercitrin as well as chlorogenic acid. Weak antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract has been reported against ''Staphylococcus aureus'' and ''Vibrio cholerae''. Individual components of the extract, upon testing, were inactive against a range of bacteria. From the roots several diglycosylated steroidal alkaloids were isolated.
== Botany Description ==
Glabrous liana up to 4 m long. Leaves opposite, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole 4–10 mm long; blade oblong, 2–7.5 cm × 0.8–2.8 cm, base rounded to cuneate, apex obtuse, retuse or emarginate, mucrunate. Inflorescence an axillary cyme up to 5 cm long, laxly 6–10-flowered, often arranged in elongated leafless narrow panicles 7.5–30 cm long at the end of lateral shoots; peduncle up to 2.5 cm long; bracts lanceolate, up to 2 mm long. Flowers bisexual, regular, 5-merous; pedicel 2–4 mm long; sepals ovate, c. 2 mm long, acuminate, subacute; corolla tube campanulate, c. 2 mm long, lobes linear-lanceolate, c. 6 mm long, acute; corona lobes lanceolate, c. 1 mm long, fleshy; stamens with free filaments, anthers triangular, acuminate, fused to stigmatic head; ovary semi-inferior, 2-celled, style columnar. Fruit a pair of spreading follicles, each cylindrical, 7.5–22.5 cm × 5–6 mm, acuminate, reflexed when ripe, many-seeded. Seeds oblong-ovoid, c. 6 mm long, flattened, smooth, with minute warts, blackish brown, with a coma of whitish hairs.
== Other botanical information ==
''Cryptolepis'' belongs to subfamily ''Periplocoideae''. It comprises about 30 species in Africa, Asia and Australia. The majority of the species occur in East Africa and on Socotra (Yemen). Several other ''Cryptolepis'' species in East and southern Africa are used medicinally.
=== ''Cryptolepis africana'' ===
''Cryptolepis africana'' (Bullock) Venter & R.L.Verh. (synonym: ''Cryptolepis sinensis'' Merr. subsp. ''africana'' Bullock) occurs in Kenya and Tanzania. In Tanzania a root decoction is drunk as an aphrodisiac. The breasts are washed with leaf sap and a root decoction is drunk as a galactagogue.
=== ''Cryptolepis hypoglauca'' ===
''Cryptolepis hypoglauca'' K.Schum. occurs in Cameroon, Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya the root is chewed as an aphrodisiac.
=== ''Cryptolepis orbicularis'' ===
''Cryptolepis orbicularis'' Chiov. is endemic to Somalia. Seeds, sometimes ground in water, are taken to treat stomach-ache.
== Ecology ==
== 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., 2010. '''Cryptolepis obtusa''' N.E.Br. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>. Accessed {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}.
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[[Category:PROTA prov]][[Category:Medicinal plants (PROTA)]]
