Irvingia gabonensis.

Irvingia gabonensis.

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Tracheophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • Order: Malpighiales
  • Family: Irvingiaceae
  • Genus: Irvingia
  • Species: Irvingia gabonensis

Synonyms

  • Mangifera gabonensis Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke
  • Irvingia barteri Hook.f.
  • Irvingia caerulea Tiegh.
  • Irvingia duparquetii Tiegh.
  • Irvingia erecta Tiegh.
  • Irvingia fusca Tiegh.
  • Irvingia griffonii Tiegh.
  • Irvingia hookeriana Tiegh.
  • Irvingia laeta Tiegh.
  • Irvingia pauciflora Tiegh.
  • Irvingia platycarpa Tiegh.
  • Irvingia tenuifolia Hook.f.
  • Irvingia velutina Tiegh.

Species ID: NMP-229;wfo-0000732297;NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 79319

Common Names:

Local Names: Bush mango, dika nut (English), Ogbono (Igbo), Oro, Oyin (Yoruba), Ogwe, Ohere (Edo), Oro (Hausa).

Description

Irvingia gabonensis is a large, evergreen tree that can reach heights of up to 40 meters. It features a dense, spherical crown and a straight bole, often with buttresses extending up to 3 meters. The bark is smooth to scaly, with a grey to yellow-grey color. Leaves are elliptic, dark green, and glossy on the upper surface. The tree produces small, yellow to greenish-white bisexual flowers arranged in panicles. The fruit is nearly spherical, green when ripe, with a bright orange pulp surrounding a woody stone that contains a single seed.

Distribution and Habitat

Irvingia gabonensis is indigenous to the humid forest zones of West and Central Africa, including countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It thrives in lowland tropical forests, often in well-drained sites, and is commonly found in both primary and secondary forests.

Medicinal Properties

Various parts of Irvingia gabonensis are utilized in traditional medicine:

  • Bark: Used to treat scabies, diarrhea, and as a purgative.
  • Leaves: Employed in wound healing and for treating gastrointestinal ailments.
  • Seeds: Known for their high fat and protein content, they are used in managing obesity and related metabolic conditions.

The seeds, in particular, have gained attention for their potential in weight management due to their fiber content, which may aid in reducing appetite and improving metabolic parameters.

Known Toxicity

There are no widely reported toxic effects associated with Irvingia gabonensis. However, as with all medicinal plants, it is advisable to consult with knowledgeable practitioners before any medicinal use.

Additional Information

Beyond its medicinal applications, Irvingia gabonensis is economically significant:

  • Culinary Use: The seeds, commonly known as "ogbono" or "dika nuts," are used as a thickening agent in soups and stews in West African cuisine.
  • Economic Value: The tree is a source of timber and non-timber forest products, contributing to local economies.
  • Conservation Status: While not currently listed as threatened, sustainable harvesting practices are essential to prevent overexploitation.

References

  • Harris, D. J. (1996). A revision of the Irvingiaceae in Africa. Bulletin du Jardin Botanique National de Belgique/Bulletin van de National Plantentuin van Belgi, 65(1/2), 143-196.
  • Ainge, L., & Brown, N. (2001). Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia wombolu: A State of Knowledge Report Undertaken for the Central African Regional Program for the Environment. Oxford Forestry Institute.
  • Wikipedia contributors. (2024, November 6). Irvingia gabonensis. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvingia_gabonensis

External Links

  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874124002411

More Pictures
Compounds of Irvingia gabonensis.
References

Murtala Muhammad,  Etal. (2023). Phytochemical analysis of Nigerian medicinal plants. NMPP-DB Project, Department of Biochemistry, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil