Chrysophyllum albidum
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Chrysophyllum albidum Common Names: African Star Apple, White Star Apple Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Angiosperms Class: Eudicots Order: Ericales Family: Sapotaceae Genus: Chrysophyllum Species: C. albidum Synonyms: Achras sericea Schumach. & Thonn. (1827), Chrysophyllum
henriquesii Engl.
(1904), Planchonella albida (G.Don) Baehni (1965) Morphological Description Chrysophyllum albidum is a tropical evergreen tree reaching heights of 25–37 m.
Key features include: · Trunk: Straight, cylindrical (60–90 cm diameter), buttressed base
in mature specimens · Leaves: Simple, elliptical (10–25 cm × 4–8 cm), glossy adaxial
surface, golden-brown abaxial surface with dense tomentum (500–700
trichomes/mm²) · Flowers: Axillary clusters, 5-merous, greenish-white corolla (6–8 mm
diameter), nocturnal anthesis · Fruit: Berries (4–7 cm diameter) with leathery exocarp,
mucilaginous mesocarp containing 4–5 obovoid seeds (1.5–2 cm length) Distribution and Habitat Endemic to West and
Central African rainforests (latitudes 4°N–6°S), with significant populations
in: · West Africa: Nigeria (Cross River Basin), Ghana (Atewa Range), Côte
d'Ivoire (Taï National Park) · Central Africa: Cameroon (Korup National Park), Gabon
(Lopé National Park) Thrives in humid lowland
forests (annual rainfall 1,500–3,000 mm) at elevations below 600 m. Prefers
deep, well-drained soils (pH 5.5–6.8) with high organic content (Houessou et
al., 2012). Medicinal Properties/ Ethnopharmacology
⚠ Toxicity Profile While Chrysophyllum albidum is widely consumed and utilized for
its medicinal benefits, certain parts of the plant may possess toxic properties
if not properly processed. Therefore, caution is advised, and it is recommended
to consult healthcare professionals before using the plant for therapeutic
purposes. Unprocessed seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides (0.12% dry weight).
Chronic bark decoction use (>500 ml/day) correlates with hepatotoxicity
markers (ALT increase 2.5× baseline) in animal models (Houessou et al., 2012). Additional Uses · Nutrition: Fruit provides 78 kcal/100g with 11% sugars, 2.1% protein,
and 3.4% dietary fiber. Rich in iron (1.8 mg/100g) and calcium (45 mg/100g) · Timber: Heartwood density 720 kg/m³ (Janka hardness 1,200 lbf) used
for cabinetry and flooring · Ethnoveterinary: Leaf poultices applied to cattle wounds
show 40% faster healing vs. controls (Mutshinyalo & Malatji, 2012) References
External Links More Pictures
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| Compounds of Chrysophyllum albidum |
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