Alchornea floribunda.
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Alchornea floribunda Common Names: Niando, Christmas bush, Iporuru Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Genus: Alchornea Species: A. floribunda Synonyms: Bleekeria floribunda, Caelebogyne floribunda, Cladodes floribunda, Hermesia floribunda, Lepidoturus floribunda, Schousboea floribunda, Stipellaria floribunda Morphological Description Alchornea floribunda is a large, straggly, monoecious shrub, typically reaching
heights of 4–8 meters, occasionally forming a small tree up to 10 meters. Its
key characteristics include: · Stem: Branched, with a rough, greyish-brown bark, often sprawling
and forming dense thickets in forest understories (Burkill, 1994). · Leaves: Alternate, long, narrow, ovate to lanceolate (8–20 cm × 3–7
cm), with serrated margins, dark green, and a glossy surface; petioles are 1–3
cm long (Neuwinger, 2000). · Flowers: Small, white to yellowish-green, unisexual, arranged in axillary
or terminal panicles (5–15 cm long); male flowers have 2–3 mm diameter with
8–10 stamens, female flowers are slightly larger with a single pistil · Fruit: Small, ovoid capsules (5–8 mm), green turning brown,
containing 2–3 seeds with a thin, fleshy aril, aiding dispersal by birds (Fern,
2024). Distribution and Habitat Alchornea floribunda is widely distributed across tropical Africa, thriving in
diverse ecological niches: · Geographic Range: From Guinea and Sierra Leone in West
Africa, east to Sudan and Uganda, and south to northern Angola and the
Democratic Republic of Congo; cultivated in home gardens in DR Congo (Botanic
Gardens Conservation International & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group,
2019). · Habitat: Common in rainforest understories, swamp forests, riverine
thickets, and forest clearings; tolerates elevations from sea level to 1,200
meters and prefers moist, loamy soils with annual rainfall of 1,200–2,500 mm
(Neuwinger, 2000). · Ecological Role: Acts as a pioneer species in disturbed
areas, contributing to forest regeneration; its seeds are dispersed by birds
and mammals (Fern, 2024). Ethnopharmacology Alchornea floribunda holds a significant place in African traditional medicine,
with validated pharmacological properties: · Antibacterial: In Cameroon, leaf decoctions treat bacterial infections.
Crude extracts from roots, stems, and leaves showed minimum inhibitory
concentrations (MIC) of 125–500 μg/mL against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) in micro-dilution assays (Siwe Noundou et al.,
2014). · Anti-inflammatory: Used in Nigeria for arthritis and muscle
pain, the ethyl acetate fraction of leaf extracts reduced paw edema by 40% in
carrageenan-induced rat models, attributed to flavonoids and phenolic compounds
(Okoye & Osadebe, 2010). · Antioxidant: Leaf extracts manage immuno-inflammatory disorders in Ghana.
In vivo studies showed the ethyl acetate fraction (200 mg/kg) increased
catalase enzyme activity by 35% and reduced serum malondialdehyde by 25% in
CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rats (Ajaghaku et al., 2017). · Antimalarial: In Gabon, root infusions treat malaria. Methanol extracts
exhibited IC50 values of 19.65–37.26 μg/mL against Plasmodium falciparum strains, supporting traditional use
(Martínez et al., 2017). · Stimulant and Aphrodisiac: In Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo, root bark
macerated in palm wine is consumed as a tonic. The alkaloid alchorneine is
linked to CNS stimulation, increasing locomotor activity by 30% in mice at 10
mg/kg (Bouquet & Debray, 1974). · Wound Healing: In Nigeria, leaf poultices treat wounds and ringworm.
Ethanol extracts showed a 53.4 mm inhibition zone against E. coli, surpassing diluted ampiclox (Ogbole et al.,
2016). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: High doses of Alchornea floribunda root bark (>1,000 mg/kg) can induce
intense CNS excitation followed by severe depression, potentially fatal in
sensitive individuals or with overuse. Leaf extracts showed no acute toxicity
(LD₅₀ > 5,000 mg/kg) in rats, but chronic use may elevate liver enzymes (ALT
increased by 20% after 60 days). Use during pregnancy is contraindicated due to
potential abortifacient effects reported in ethnobotanical surveys (Kigigha et
al., 2012; Bouquet, 1969). Additional Uses · Culinary: In Cameroon, young leaves are cooked with meat or fish as a
nutritious vegetable, rich in vitamins A and C, and believed to counteract
poisons (Cousins & Huffman, 2002). · Cultural: In Gabon, root infusions are consumed during festivals for
energy and stamina, often mixed with Tabernanthe iboga (Bouquet, 1969). · Agricultural: Planted in agroforestry systems to stabilize soil and repel
pests due to its allelopathic properties (Neuwinger, 2000). References
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| Compounds of Alchornea floribunda. | |
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