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Botany
The national tree; big and
growing to 33 meters nigh and 2 meters in diameter with an irregular
fluted trunk. Leaves are compound, pinate, 15 to 30 cms long,
ovate to elliptic in shape, with 5 to 9 leaflets per leaf.. Flowers
February to May, numerous, in clusters, yellow and fragrant.
Fruit is disc-shaped, flat, with winged margins.
A valuable timber for house construction
and furniture making; noted for its hardiness and rapid growth.
Grows well in bottom lands, wind-firm and less susceptible to
disease and pests.
Distribution
Grown from seeds and cuttings.
Found in calcareous soil. Grows well in bottom lands.
Parts
utilized:
Leaves, roots, bark
Properties
Nitrogen-fixing. Emetic and
anti-bilous. Antibacterial.
Folkloric
uses
- Young leaves and flowers
are reportedly edible; the flowers, a source of honey.
- Infusion of the leaf used as shampoo.
- Used for bladder ailments, diarrhea, headache, stones, sores
and dropsy.
- The young leaves applied to boils, prickly heat and ulcers.
- Decoction used as a gargle for sore throats; as an astringent;
as a mouthwash for toothaches.
- Used to dissolve vesical calculi.
- The resin "kino" has similar actions as tannin and
catechu. It is taken for its astringent effect in chronic diarrhea,
leucorrhea, blenorrhea and hemorrhages. Used as a solution for
enemas for prolapse of the rectum and anal fissure.
- Also a source of red dye and a gum.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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