Berlinia grandiflora is a small to medium sized tree found in the West and West Central African region along riparian habitats or gallery forests habitat types.[1]
| Berlinia grandiflora | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Berlinia |
| Species: | B. grandiflora |
| Binomial name | |
| Berlinia grandiflora (Vahl) Hutch. & Dalziel | |
Description
Berlinia grandiflora is a small to medium sized tree that ranges from 2–20 m tall but can grow up to 30 m.[2] Leaves are paripinnately compound arranged in 3–4 pairs of leaflets per pinnae, the petiole is 20-42 mm long and petiolules is 5–9 mm long; terminal leaflets are 7–22 cm long and 3.0–11.5 cm wide, the abaxial surface is glabrous to sparsely pubescent, leaf-blade is oblong to obovate in outline.[2] Inflorescence is a branched panicle, it has scented green or white colored flowers, commonly with a single petal that is white and 3.5–6.5 cm long, the bracteoles tend to be between 23–32 mm long and 11–20 mm wide; has up to 10 stamens.[3] Fruit is a flattened brown pod.[1]
Distribution
The species is found in Guinea eastwards to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2]
Uses
Bark extracts are used as part of a purgative regimen in some communities of the Democratic republic of the Congo and leaves are part of a decoction to treat intestinal ailments. Wood is used in carpentry work.[4]