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<big>''[[Clutia abyssinica]]'' Jaub. & Spach</big>
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Clutia abyssinica'' (PROTA)}}
:Protologue: Ill. pl. orient. 5: 77, t. 468 (1855).
:Family: Euphorbiaceae
== Vernacular names ==
*Lightning bush, smooth-fruited clutia (En).
== Origin and geographic distribution ==
''Clutia'' comprises about 60 species, of which about 20 occur in tropical Africa and about 40 in South Africa. Three varieties have been described in ''Clutia abyssinica'', which are mainly distinguished by the hairiness of the plant, the shape of the leaves and the length of the pedicel.
Other ''Clutia'' spp. from eastern and southern Africa are also used medicinally. === ''Clutia angustifolia'' ===''[[Clutia angustifolia]]'' Knauf occurs from Burundi south to Zambia and Mozambique, and in DR Congo a leaf extract is used as a mouth wash, while leaves are rubbed in to treat toothache. === ''Clutia hirsuta'' ===A leaf decoction of ''[[Clutia hirsuta]]'' (Sond.) Müll.Arg. from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa, is taken to treat fever. A leaf maceration combined with other plants is taken to treat anthrax, and also gall bladder problems in livestock. Crude leaf and root extracts show moderate antimalarial activities. === ''Clutia lanceolata'' ===''[[Clutia lanceolata]]'' Forrsk. (synonyms: ''Clutia kilimandscharica'' Engl., ''Clutia robusta'' Pax) occurs from Eritrea and Somalia south to Tanzania and Zimbabwe. In Ethiopia a maceration of young twigs and leaves is drunk to treat diarrhoea. The leafy twigs are also used in fumigations to treat ophthalmia. In East Africa a root decoction in milk is taken to treat colds and rheumatism. Maasai people use pieces of wood as ear plugs. === ''Clutia paxii'' ===''[[Clutia paxii]]'' Knauf occurs from southern DR Congo south to Zimbabwe and Mozambique; a leaf infusion is drunk in DR Congo to treat angina. === ''Clutia pulchella'' ===A hot leaf infusion of ''[[Clutia pulchella]]'' L. (from Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique and northern South Africa) is drunk to treat stomach-ache, diarrhoea and dysentery. Root ash is rubbed into scarifications to heal fractures and sprains. An infusion of leaves, stems and roots in milk is applied as an enema to treat stomach-ache in children.
== Ecology ==
== Author(s) ==
* E.N. Matu , CTMDR/KEMRI, P.O. Box 54840–00200, Nairobi, Kenya
== Correct citation of this article ==
Matu, E.N., 2008. '''Clutia abyssinica''' Jaub. & Spach. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. In: 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)]]
