Erythrophleum suaveolens
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Erythrophleum suaveolens Common Names: Sasswood, Ordeal Tree, Sassy Bark, Red
Water Tree, Forest Ordeal Tree Scientific Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae Genus: Erythrophleum Species: E. suaveolens Binomial Name: Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan Synonyms: Erythrophleum guineense G.Don, Erythrophleum judiciale Proctor, Erythrophleum ordale Bolle, Fillaea suaveolens Guill. & Perr., Mavia judicia Walp., Mavia judicialis G.Bertol. Morphological Description Erythrophleum suaveolens is a medium to large deciduous tree, reaching 15–30 m in
height with a straight, cylindrical bole up to 90 cm in diameter. Key features
include: · Bark: Rough, scaly, reddish-brown to dark gray, fissured with age · Leaves: Pinnate, alternate, 20–40 cm long, with 6–12 lanceolate
leaflets, 5–10 cm each, glossy green · Flowers: Small, greenish-white to yellowish, in dense axillary
spikes, 5–15 cm long · Fruit: Flat, woody pods, 10–20 cm long, brown, containing 4–8 shiny
red seeds The tree’s leaflets emit
a pleasant fragrance when crushed, reflected in its epithet “suaveolens”
(PROTA, 2019). Distribution and Habitat Erythrophleum suaveolens thrives in: · Native Range: West and Central Africa (Senegal to Kenya, south to
Zimbabwe) · Habitat: Savannah woodlands, rainforests, riverbanks, 0–1,500 m
altitude · Soil: Well-drained, loamy to sandy, pH 5–7 · Climate: Tropical, rainfall 800–2,000 mm, temperature 25–35°C It is also introduced as
an ornamental in tropical Asia (Burkill, 1995). Ethnopharmacology Erythrophleum suaveolens, commonly known as the ordeal tree, is a highly toxic plant
traditionally used in African medicine for its potent antimicrobial,
anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimalarial properties. Despite its
toxicity, primarily due to alkaloids like erythrophleine, it has been used in
controlled doses to treat conditions such as coughs, wounds, infections, chest
pain, and even snakebites. Some traditions also employ it as a purgative or
emetic. Scientific studies have confirmed its antibacterial, antifungal, and
antioxidant activities, though its toxicity poses significant risks and limits
its modern medical application. Further research is needed to isolate its
bioactive compounds and ensure safe therapeutic use. · Analgesic: Bark decoction in Cameroon; reduces pain in rats (45% at 50
mg/kg) (Dongmo et al., 2001). · Fever: Bark infusion in Ghana; traditional antipyretic use (Abbiw,
1990). · Wound Treatment: Crushed bark in Nigeria; antibacterial
against S. aureus (MIC
50 µg/mL) (Ngounou et al., 2005). · Anthelmintic: Root decoction in Kenya; expels tapeworms (PROTA, 2019). · Psychoactive: Bark snuff in DR Congo for headaches; sedative effects noted. · Anti-inflammatory: Bark extract in Cameroon; inhibits edema
(33% at 50 mg/kg) (Dongmo et al., 2001). · Anticancer: Leaf extract in Nigeria; Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan was found to
demonstrate potent anti-cancer activity in this study exhibiting IC50 = 0.2-1.3
μg/ml. most potent was
Erythrophleum suaveolens, exihibiting 100% inhibition at 20 μg/ml. In terms of
potency between cell lines, Erythrophleum suaveolens showed the most consistent
activity, causing total growth inhibition of all three cell lines, BT-549,
BT-20 and PC-3. (Fadeyi et al., 2013). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Highly toxic due to alkaloids; LD 50 = 223.8±0.05smg/kg. Post mortem
examination of dead animals revealed evidence of poisoning as observed from
clotted blood in the coronary artery. Investigation confirms the toxic effect
of E. suaveolens. Causes paralysis, respiratory failure, or death if ingested (Idyu
et al., 2014). Additional Information · Toxicity Uses: Bark used in ordeal poisons and arrow tips in West Africa
(Burkill, 1995). · Timber: Hard, durable wood for railway sleepers, flooring, resistant
to termites (PROTA, 2019). · Environmental Impact: Invasive in Indian Ocean islands,
outcompeting natives (Kueffer et al., 2004). · Cultural Role: Used in rituals and as a pest repellent in grain storage References
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| Compounds of Erythrophleum suaveolens | |
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