Pycnobotrya

Pycnobotrya
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Pycnobotrya
Species: P. nitida
Binomial name
Pycnobotrya nitida
Synonyms[2]

Pycnobotrya is a monotypic genus of plant in the Apocynaceae family found in tropical Africa.[1] As of August 2013 the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognises the single species Pycnobotrya nitida.[3]

Pycnobotrya nitida grows as a liana up to 40 metres (130 ft) long, with a stem diameter of up to 12 centimetres (4.7 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a dark pink corolla, sometimes with pale yellow throat. Fruit consists of paired follicles, each up to 7 centimetres (2.8 in) long. Habitat is forest, often on river banks. Local medicinal uses include as a treatment for chest infections, haematuria, diarrhoea, dysentery and bronchitis.[4] P. nitida is found in Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Gabon, the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Pycnobotrya", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 18 August 2013
  2. "Pycnobotrya nitida". The Plant List. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  3. Search for "Pycnobotrya", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 18 August 2013
  4. Medicinal Plants. PROTA. 2008. p. 479. ISBN 978-9-05782-204-9.
  5. Search for "Pycnobotrya nitida", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 18 August 2013


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.