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Prunus africana

Authority	(Hook. f.) Kalkm.
Family	Magnoliopsida:Rosidae:Rosales:Rosaceae
Synonyms	Pygeum africanum Hook. f.
Common names	African cherry, African plum tree, African stinkwood, Alumty (Bamenda - Cameroon), bitter almond, Ciruelo africano, Gwane, iron wood, kiburraburra, Kirah (Banso - Cameroon), Lluo (Kom - Cameroon), Mgambo, Mkomohoyo, Mkomohoyo (Tanzania), Mseneo, Mseneo (Tanzania), Mueri (Kenya), Muiri, Ntasesa, Ntasesa (Uganda), pygeum, red stinkwood, rooistinkhout, Tenduet (Kenya), umkakase, Vla (Oku - Cameroon), Wotangue (Bakweri)
Editor
Ecocrop code	11641

Notes
DESCRIPTION: It is an evergreen tree reaching 10-24 m or even 36 m in height, with a stem diameter of up to 1 m. USE: The wood is used as fuel and timber and the flowers are a source of honey. Bark, bruised leaves and fruits smell strongly of bitter almonds. They are reputed to be poisonous and are used in witchcraft. Liquid extracts from the bark are used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate gland hypertrophy. Leaves are used as an inhalant for fever or are drunk as an infusion to improve appetite. Water is added to pounded bark, and the red liquid is used as a remedy for stomach-ache. Bark extract may be used as a purgative for cattle. The tree is used for erosion control, shade, shelter, windbreak and as an ornamental. Fallen leaves act as green manure. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial.COMMON NAMES: Bitter almond, iron wood, red stink wood. FURTHER INF: It is a highland forest tree and grows in the humid and semi-humid highlands and humid midlands. It occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, in Kenya it grows on the slopes of Mt Kenya, Mt Elgon, the Aberdares Range, Cherangani Hills, Tugen Hills, Mau Range, and Timboroa, Nandi and Kakamega Forests. The species has a high light requirement and grows best in forest gaps.
Sources
SOURCE: ICRAF Agroforestree Database (02.07.02) E11641