Margaritaria discoidea

Margaritaria discoidea is a tree in the family Phyllanthaceae, commonly known as the pheasant-berry, egossa red pear or bushveld peacock-berry. These trees are native to the warmer, higher rainfall areas of Africa.

Margaritaria discoidea

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Genus: Margaritaria
Species:
M. discoidea
Binomial name
Margaritaria discoidea
(Baill.) G.L.Webster
Synonyms[2]
  • Phyllanthus discoideus (Baill.) Müll.Arg.
  • Cicca discoidea Baill.
  • Flueggea nitida Pax
  • Phyllanthus flacourtioides Hutch.
  • Flueggea bailloniana (Müll.Arg.)
  • Securinega bailloniana Müll.Arg.
  • Fluggea obovata Baill.
  • Margaritaria obovata (Baill.) G.L.Webster
  • Flueggea fagifolia Pax
  • Phyllanthus amapondensis Sim

Taxonomy

This species has a complex taxonomic history with many synonyms (see taxobox); partially because of its morphological variability. These trees were formerly placed in the genus Phyllanthus and in the family Euphorbiaceae. 4 varieties are now recognized (1981), these having in the past been treated variously as distinct species, subspecies or synonymous with typical M. discoidea.[3] In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, there are 3 varieties:[4]

  • M. discoidea var. discoidea
  • M. discoidea var. fagifolia
  • M. discoidea var. nitida

Distribution

This species is distributed from the coastal areas of the Eastern Cape,[4] South Africa, to tropical Africa,[4][5] as far as Senegal in West Africa.[5]

Description

A medium to tall tree in forest and riverine situations,[4] where it can grow up to 30 m tall,[6] or a shrub or small tree in dryer and more open situations.[4] The stem is usually straight with rough, flaking bark which is grayish-brown on top and reddish beneath.[4][7][8] The branches of young trees grow horizontally from the stem.[4] The leaves are alternate and produced on one plane. Male and female flowers are produced on separate trees, with both types of flowers being small, greenish-yellow in colour,[4] and fragrant.[9] The fruit is a three-lobed capsule about 10 mm in diameter and golden-brown when ripe.[4] The inner part of the fruit is dark metallic blue-green;[7] giving rise to the name bushveld peacock-berry.

Medicinal use

Scientific investigation
M. discoidea leaves

These trees contain many alkaloids including phyllochrysine (a central nervous system stimulant) and securinine.[5][10][11] Oral administration of an aqueous extract at various concentrations showed no acute toxicity in rats and no adverse change in behavior; suggesting that it may be safe for pharmacological uses.[6] The aqueous extract of M. discoidea stem bark was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in animal models (rats): The extract reduced significantly the formation of oedema induced by carrageenan and histamine, and had a good analgesic effect, with the results comparable to those of indomethacin, the reference drug used in the study.[6]

In traditional medicine
Stem of Margaritaria discoidea at Ilanda Wilds, South Africa, showing old scar from bark removal for traditional medicinal use

These trees are used in traditional medicine across Africa: A leaf-decoction is taken in Ivory Coast for blennorrhoea and for poisoning,[12] while in Ubangi a decoction of roots and leafy twigs is also used for blennorrhoea[13] A wash of the decoction is a stimulant in case of general fatigue.[12] The bark is used as a purgative in West Africa and anthelmintic in Central Africa.[10][14] The Fula people use the bark for toothache, in the Central African Republic a decoction is used for post-partum pains, and in the Republic of the Congo for stomach and kidney complaints and to facilitate parturition.[6] In Malawi the powdered bark extract is applied to swellings and inflammation for quick relief.[15]

Other uses

As fodder

The dried leaves can be used as a food supplement for sheep.[16]

Forestry and timber

The wood is hard and durable and the trees are fast growing from seed,[4] suggesting that this species may be suitable for agroforestry. The sap-wood is yellowish, and the heartwood is pinkish-white to brownish-red, hard, heavy, of medium texture, not difficult to work and is suitable for cabinetry; finishing smoothly and taking a fine polish.[9] The wood can be sawn into planks and used for ordinary building purposes.[9] These trees have been planted in mixed plantations, with a suggestion that they may have a rotation time of 40 to 60 years.[17]

As an acaricide

Extracts from this plant can be used to kill ticks, including Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum, and an application of a 50% concentrated oil extract on rabbit ears caused a complete inhibition of attachment by adult R. appendiculatus and A. variegatum for at least 4 days.[18] When applied on ticks on cattle in the field, the 50% oil extract induced 100% and 50% mortalities in adult R. appendiculatus and A. variegatum, respectively, by 2 days post-application.[18]

Ecological significance

The leaves are eaten by the larvae of the scarce forest emperor butterfly (Charaxes etesipe tavetensis).[7] The flowers are much visited by bees and other insects. The seeds are a relished food of guineafowl and francolin. Seed in Kenya have attracted bushbuck.[19] M. discoidea is also eaten by red duiker.[20]

References
  1. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Margaritaria discoidea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T146201960A146201962. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  2. Synonyms reference: http://www.aluka.org/action/showCompilationPage?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.COMPILATION.PLANT-NAME-SPECIES.Margaritaria.discoidea%5B%5D
  3. Radcliffe-Smith, A (1981). "Notes on African Euphorbiaceae_ XI_ Margaritaria discoidea_ A Re-Appraisal". Kew Bulletin. 36 (2): 219–221. doi:10.2307/4113603. JSTOR 4113603.
  4. Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN 978-0-620-17697-2.
  5. Burkill, H.M. (1994). The useful plants of west Tropical Africa. London, UK: Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. ISBN 978-0-947643-56-0.
  6. Adedapo AA, Sofidiya MO, Afolayan AJ (December 2009). "Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the aqueous extracts of Margaritaria discoidea (Euphorbiaceae) stem bark in experimental animal models". Revista de Biología Tropical. 57 (4): 1193–200. PMID 20073344.
  7. Van Wyk, B.; Van Wyk, P. (1997). Field guide to trees of Southern Africa (2 ed.). ISBN 978-1-86825-922-9.
  8. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
  9. "Entry for Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) Webster [family EUPHORBIACEAE]". Archived from the original on 2013-08-01. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. Kerharo, J.; Adam, J.G. (1974). La Pharmacopie Senegalese traditionelle. Plants medicinales et Toxiques. Paris, France: Vigot Freres.
  11. Weenen et al, 1990
  12. Adjanohoun & Aké Assi, 1972
  13. Portères, s.d.
  14. Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962
  15. Irvine, F.R. (1961). Woody plants of Ghana. London, UK: Oxford University.
  16. Osakwe, I.I.; Steingass, H. (2004). "Quantitative Protein And Fat Metabolism In West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Margaritaria Discoidea As Supplement". Animal Research International. 1 (1).
  17. Louppe, D.; Oteng-Amoako, A.A.; Brink, M. (2008). Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 7(1): Timbers 1. p. 333. ISBN 978-3-8236-1541-5.
  18. Kaaya, Godwin; Mwangi, Esther; Malonza, Mutua (1995). "Acaricidal activity of Margaritaria discoidea (Euphorbiaceae) plant extracts against the ticks Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum (Ixodidae)". International Journal of Acarology. 21 (2): 123–129. doi:10.1080/01647959508684052.
  19. Eggeling, W.J.; Dale, I. R. (1952). The indigenous trees of the Uganda Protectorate. Entebbe: Government Printer. p. 491.
  20. Van Eeden, D.G. 2006.
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