Afzelia africana

Afzelia africana, commonly known as the African Mahogany, is a majestic deciduous tree native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its durable timber, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. Various parts, including its bark and seeds, are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to inflammation.

  • Scientific name: Afzelia africana
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. It is further identified by the genus Afzelia, specifically as the species Afzelia africana.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Afzelia WCVP

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across various regions within West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its presence is recorded in the nation of Benin. It also grows within the borders of Burkina Faso and Gambia. Furthermore, the species can be found throughout Ghana. Finally, its geographical range extends to Guinea-Bissau.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Liberia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP

Chemicals

Afzelia africana has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include D-galactose, L-rhamnose, Linoleic acid, anthraquinones, beta-carotene.

Total chemicals
13
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
D-galactose 1 ★☆☆☆☆
L-rhamnose 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Linoleic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anthraquinones 1 ★☆☆☆☆
beta-carotene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
eriodictyol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fat 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glycolipids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glycosides 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Afzelia africana has 5 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiplasmodial.

Total activities
5
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antimicrobial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiplasmodial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Afzelia africana has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hernia, malaria, pain, fever, inflammation.

Total uses
8
Scientific sources
11

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
hernia 2 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 2 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 2 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lumbago 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatism 1 ★☆☆☆☆
trypanosomiasis 1 ★☆☆☆☆