Beilschmiedia gaboonensis

Beilschmiedia gaboonensis is an evergreen tree in the subgenus Hufelandia of the genus Beilschmiedia, in the family Lauraceae. It is native to central Africa. It is a medium-sized tree which can measure up to 30 m tall with a bole diameter of up to 60 cm. It is distributed from southern Nigeria to the Congo Basin, occurring in Cameroon, Gabon and Zaïre. It is associated with marshy locations in lowland rainforest.[5] Similarly to Beilschmiedia mannii, it is known under the trade names "kanda" and "pink kanda". The bark is used in analgesic and healing ointments.

Beilschmiedia gaboonensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Beilschmiedia
Species:
B. gaboonensis
Binomial name
Beilschmiedia gaboonensis
Synonyms[4]

Afrodaphne gaboonensis (Meisn.) Stapf
Afrodaphne obscura Stapf
Oreodaphne gaboonensis Meisn.
Tylostemon confertus Wernham
Tylostemon gaboonensis (Meisn.) Stapf
Tylostemon obscurus (Stapf) Stapf

Description

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The trees grow up to 30 metres or more in height with trunks up to 1.2 metres in diameter. It is often the dominant canopy species in lowland forests. The branches are stout, and tend to spread widely. The leaves are dark green, and measure 7–12 cm in length and 3-5 centimetres in width. It produces small inconspicuous bisexual flowers (diameter: 2 mm), which are pubescent, with ovate tepals clustered in axillary or subterminal panicles (length: 6 cm). The inflorescence and perianth are sparsely pubescent. The fruit is obovoid, subglobose, ellipsoid to fusiform, and mucronate, and measures about 35–60 mm long.[6] It is scarlet or purplish brown when ripe.[7]

References

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  1. ^ de Kok, R. (2019). "Beilschmiedia gaboonensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T144240400A145297453. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T144240400A145297453.en. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Beilschmiedia gaboonensis". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens.
  3. ^ Bentham, G. & Hooker, J.D. (1895) Genera Plantarum ad exemplaria imprimis in herbariis Kewensibus 2(2): 1269
  4. ^ "Beilschmiedia gaboonensis (Meisn.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex B.D.Jacks. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  5. ^ "Entry for Beilschmiedia gaboonensis (Meisn.) Benth. & Hook. f. [family LAURACEAE]". JSTOR Global Plants. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Entry for Beilschmiedia gaboonensis (Meisn.) Benth. & Hook. f [family LAURACEAE]". JSTOR Global Plants. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  7. ^ "Plantes et botanique | Beilschmiedia gaboonensis". Plantes-botanique.org. Retrieved 2012-06-09.