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Okoubaka aubrevillei - Pellegr. & Normand

Common Name Okoubaka tree
Family Santalaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards The bark is used as a fish poison[299 ].
Habitats Forests on rocky hills, usually solitary but occasionally in pure stands in Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire[299 ].
Range West tropical Africa - Sierra Leone to Cameroon and DR Congo.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (4 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Okoubaka aubrevillei Okoubaka tree


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Okoubaka aubrevillei Okoubaka tree
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Summary

Okoubaka aubrevillei is a deciduous tree growing about 30 m in height and native to tropical Africa. It has a straight and cylindrical bole that can be up to 80cm in diameter. The crown is comprised of branches that hang low down. The bark is used medicinally for skin disorders and poisoning. It is found to have antimicrobial and immuno-stimulating properties. The wood of this species is sometimes used for constructions or as firewood.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Okoubaka aubrevillei is a deciduous Tree growing to 23 m (75ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Octoknema okoubaka Aubr?v. & Pellegr.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Antidepressant  Antidote  Antifungal  Leprosy  Skin  Tonic

The bark is widely used as a medicine in west Africa and is also exported to Europe and other countries. It is particularly employed in the treatment of skin disorders and poisoning. Six different catechins have been isolated from the bark, including (+)-catechin and (+)-gallocatechin, as well as_-sitosterol and stigmasterol[299 ]. The bark has antimicrobial and immunostimulating properties that are attributed to phenolic compounds[299 ]. A macerate of the bark is used in the treatment of tachycardia[299 ]. The bark is used in phytotherapeutic medicine in the Western world. Its main applications are for stomach upsets caused by poisoning and to boost the system in cases of tiredness, depression and allergies[299 ]. Skin problems, including those caused by syphilis and leprosy, are treated by washing with, or bathing in a macerate or infusion of the bark in water[299 ]. External application of bark preparations is also practised to counteract poisoning[299 ]. A bark macerate is taken as a vapour bath or as nose drops to cure oedema[299 ]. In a compress it is used to disperse haematomas[299 ]. A wooden tool is traditionally used for the removal of the bark, and under no circumstances is a metal implement used[299 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fuel  Wood

Other Uses The wood is sometimes used for construction or as firewood[299 ].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Natural regeneration is poor, because the fruits and seeds are eaten by porcupines[299 ]. In southern Nigeria, Okoubaka aubrevillei is an important tree in religious ceremonies[299 ]. It is considered to be a mystery plant in Cote D'Ivoire, and nobody would fell it. It belongs to a family of plants that includes many parasitic and hemiparasitic species and is said to kill trees around its growth place, though it has not been proven to be parasitic[328 ]. Okoubaka aubrevillei is a hemi-parasitic plant. Within 6 months after germination, when nutrient reserves in the seed become depleted, the roots attach themselves to those of nearby plants by means of haustoria. However, one year after germination no differences were found in growth and foliar nutrient concentrations between plants growing with and those without hosts. The hosts, however, showed increased mortality or reduced growth. Hence, the apparent benefit which this species gains from the parasitic association is killing potential competitors for water, light and nutrients. The only tree species surviving close to it are Myrianthus arboreus and Musanga cecropioides[299 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - germination rates of 60 - 100% have been recorded[299 ]. Attempts have been made to cultivate this species. After germination, the seedlings were transplanted in rows 4 metres apart, at a distance of 2 metres within the rows. Between the rows, Millettia laurentii was planted to act as a host. After about 10 years, 54% of the plants had survived and had reached an average height of 4.2 metres, with a maximum height of 8.6 metres. The host plant, Millettia laurentii, grew well for the first 6 years, but then started dying[299 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Okoubaka tree, okoubaka aubrevillei

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Côte d'Ivoire; Gabon; Ghana; Guinea; Liberia; Nigeria; Sierra Leone

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Endangered C2a(i)

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Pellegr. & Normand

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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