Ximenia americana
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Scientific
Classification
Common
Names:
Wild lime, wild oliver, seaside
plush Local Names: Tsada (Hausa), Anya Nwona(Igbo ), Igo (Yoruba) Species ID: NMP-196,wfo-0000428247,NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 50174 Description Ximenia americana, commonly known
as the wild plum or yellow plum, is a small tree or shrub that typically grows
between 2 to 7 meters in height. It has a trunk diameter of up to 10 cm, with
dark brown to pale gray bark. The branches are often spiny, and the plant
produces small, fragrant white to greenish flowers. The fruit is a drupe,
yellow when ripe, about 2-2.5 cm in diameter. Distribution
and Habitat
This species is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions,
including Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Australia. It thrives in a variety of
habitats such as savannas, woodlands, and dry forest areas, and is often found
in regions with well-drained soils. Ximenia americana contains numerous
bioactive compounds such as fatty acids, glycerides, alkaloids, flavonoids,
tannins, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. The seeds and leaves are
particularly rich in linolenic, linoleic, and stearic acids, which contribute
to its medicinal properties. Additionally, the fruit is noted for its high
vitamin C content. Medicinal
Properties Ximenia
americana is highly valued in traditional medicine across various cultures. Its
medicinal properties include:
Toxicity While Ximenia americana is
beneficial for many medicinal purposes, it contains certain compounds like
hydrocyanic acid in its fruit and cyanide derivatives in its seeds, which can
be toxic if consumed in large quantities. It is important to use this plant
under the guidance of knowledgeable practitioners to avoid potential adverse
effects. Additional
Information
Beyond its medicinal uses, Ximenia americana is also valued for its nutritional
benefits. The fruit is edible and rich in vitamins and minerals. The tree's
wood is utilized for making tools and as fuel. Its oil is used in the cosmetic
industry for skin and hair care products.
References
External links
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