Canarium schweinfurthii

NAME:    Canarium schweinfurthii

FAMILY: Burseraceae

COMMON NAMES: African Elemi, aiele,bush candle tree

LOCAL NAMES: Origbo, Paapo, agbabubu, atile, Mbiji

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:  is a large, evergreen fruit producing forest tree. Height exceeding 50 m.                                      

USEFUL PART(s): Bark, seed, fruit

GENERAL USES:

  • The seeds are edible

  • The resin is used as a fumigant against mosquitoes

  • The bark of young trees is split off in Gabon to make boxes

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

  • Senegal, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria and Angola.

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Black tongue

  • round worm

  • gonorrhea

  • stomach disorders

  • leprosy

  • ulcers

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • Unknown

FUN FACT

  • Because of similarities in their fruit and leaves, African elemi may be confused with Dacryodes edulis.

FURTHER READING

Aji, M. M., Gutti, B., Highina, B. K., & Kyari, S. A. (2015). Soxhlet Extraction and Characterization of Oil From Schweinfurthii ( Black Date ) Fruits for Domestic Purpose. Applied Research Journal.

Jazet Dongmo, P. M., Tchoumbougnang, F., Ndongson, B., Agwanande, W., Sandjon, B., Amvam Zollo, P. H., & Menut, C. (2010). Chemical characterization, antiradical, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the essential oils of Canarium schweinfurthii and Aucoumea klaineana (Burseraceae) growing in Cameron. Agric.Biol.J.North America.

Koudou, J., Abena, A. A., Ngaissona, P., & Bessière, J. M. (2005). Chemical composition and pharmacological activity of essential oil of Canarium schweinfurthii. Fitoterapia. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2005.06.004