Details Top

Internal ID UUID64400d4110865794922013
Scientific name Blighia welwitschii
Authority (Hiern) Radlk.
First published in Pflanzenr. , IV, 165: 1146 (1933)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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General Uses Top

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Common products:
- Sawn timber for construction, furniture, and interior joinery.
- Ripe fruit arils harvested after cooking for use in regional stews and sauces.

Industrial and craft applications:
- The wood is employed as structural timber (poles, posts, beams) and for tool handles because of its moderate hardness and straight grain.
- Bark bast fibers are traditionally turned into rope, cordage, and coarse woven goods.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
- The arillate fruit is boiled, roasted, or fried before consumption; it is incorporated into dishes in parts of Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (e.g., added to “ndole” stews or eaten as a roasted side dish).
- No further food or beverage products are widely documented for this species.

Wood and fiber:
- The timber is a medium‑density hardwood with an air‑dry density of approximately 0.70 g cm⁻³, a fine, straight grain, and good dimensional stability; radial shrinkage is about 3 % and tangential shrinkage about 6 %.
- The bast fibers contain a high proportion of cellulose and a low lignin content, providing sufficient tensile strength for rope production.

Properties relevant to use:
- The wood’s lignin content (≈ 25 % of dry weight) contributes to natural durability and resistance to decay, making it suitable for exterior applications when protected.
- The fruit arils contain soluble sugars and starches that gelatinise upon cooking, yielding a soft texture suitable for culinary preparation.

Standards and regulation:
- Timber must meet national building‑code specifications (e.g., density testing per ISO 3120) and may be certified under forest‑product schemes such as FSC.
- Edible fruit products must comply with national food‑safety regulations and, where applicable, Codex Alimentarius guidelines for fresh produce.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- The species is relatively widespread in central African forest mosaics, but local over‑harvesting of both timber and fruit has been reported.
- Sustainable management includes selective logging, community‑based fruit harvesting, and the promotion of natural regeneration or planting to maintain populations.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Phialodiscus welwitschii Hiern Cat. Afr. Pl. 1: 171 (1896)
Phialodiscus bancoensis Aubrév. & Pellegr. Bull. Soc. Bot. France 85: 291 (1938)
Phialodiscus mortehanii De Wild. Bull. Jard. Bot. État Bruxelles 4: 361 (1914)
Blighia kamerunensis Radlk. Pflanzenr. , IV, 165: 1145 (1933)
Blighia laurentii De Wild. Ann. Mus. Congo Belge, Bot. , sér. 5, 3: 113 (1909)
Blighia mildbraedii Radlk. Wiss. Erg. Deut. Zentr.-Afr. Exped., Bot. 2: 480 (1912)
Blighia wildemaniana Gilg ex De Wild. & Radlk. Pflanzenr. (Engler) Sapindac. 1145, descr. 1933

Common names Top

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Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • East Tropical Africa
      • Uganda
    • Northeast Tropical Africa
      • Sudan
    • South Tropical Africa
      • Angola
    • West Tropical Africa
      • Benin
      • Ghana
      • Guinea
      • Ivory Coast
      • Liberia
      • Nigeria
      • Sierra Leone
    • West-central Tropical Africa
      • Cabinda
      • Cameroon
      • Central African Republic
      • Congo
      • Gabon
      • Zaïre

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000566875
Tropicos 28601308
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:782154-1
The Plant List kew-2677577
Open Tree Of Life 5748053
NCBI Taxonomy 1194991
IUCN Red List 146420535
IPNI 782154-1
GBIF 3788154
CMAUP NPO6746
Wikipedia En.wikipedia.org

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant, and Anti-Proliferative Activities of Wild and Cultivated Nigella damascena Species Collected in Sicily (Italy) Scognamiglio M, Maresca V, Basile A, Pacifico S, Fiorentino A, Bruno M, Badalamenti N, Kapelusz M, Marino P, Capasso L, Bontempo P, Bazan G Antioxidants (Basel) 27-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC11047655
doi:10.3390/antiox13040402
PMID:38671850
Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal tree species used in the treatment of diseases by forest-fringe communities of Southwestern Ghana Asigbaase M, Adusu D, Musah AA, Anaba L, Nsor CA, Abugre S, Derkyi M Heliyon 14-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10788458
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23645
PMID:38226220
Assessing plant diversity change in logged and unlogged dense semi-deciduous production forest of eastern Cameroon Hubert Kpoumie Mounmemi, Mensah Ekué MR, Funwi Preasious Forbi, Roger Kabelong Banoho LP, Tiokeng B, Maffo Maffo NL, Lagarde Jean Betti, Carole Mireil Votio Tchoupou, Amandine Flore Yonkeu Ntonmen, Taedoumg HE, Zapfack L Heliyon 12-May-2023
PMCID:PMC10199262
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16199
PMID:37215910
Floristic composition and turnover analysis in Dahomey Gap and the surrounding sub‐humid Togolese mountain minor forest refuges: Importance for biogeography and biodiversity conservation in sub‐Saharan Africa Adjossou K, Kokou K, Deconchat M Ecol Evol 04-Oct-2022
PMCID:PMC9532220
doi:10.1002/ece3.9304
PMID:36225837
Structure, composition and diversity of restored forest ecosystems on mine-spoils in South-Western Ghana Nero BF PLoS One 14-Jun-2021
PMCID:PMC8202926
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252371
PMID:34125836
Medicinal plants and traditional healing practices in ehotile people, around the aby lagoon (eastern littoral of Côte d'Ivoire) Malan DF, Neuba DF, Kouakou KL J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 14-Mar-2015
PMCID:PMC4391329
doi:10.1186/s13002-015-0004-8
PMID:25888765
Soil Charcoal to Assess the Impacts of Past Human Disturbances on Tropical Forests Vleminckx J, Morin-Rivat J, Biwolé AB, Daïnou K, Gillet JF, Doucet JL, Drouet T, Hardy OJ PLoS One 12-Nov-2014
PMCID:PMC4229094
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0108121
PMID:25391134
Identification and sequencing of sugars in an acetylated saponin of Blighia welwitschii by n.m.r. spectroscopy Andre Penders, Clement Delaude, Henri Pepermans, Georges van Binst Elsevier BV 25-Jul-2002
doi:10.1016/0008-6215(89)84151-5

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Aminophenyl ethers
2,4,6-Trimethoxyaniline 84271 Click to see COC1=CC(=C(C(=C1)OC)N)OC 183.20 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides
Plumieride 72319 Click to see CC(C1=CC2(C=CC3C2C(OC=C3C(=O)OC)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)OC1=O)O 470.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones
(1S,4S,8R,10S,11S,14S)-11-ethyl-12-oxo-7,9,13-trioxatetracyclo[6.5.1.01,10.04,14]tetradeca-2,5-diene-5-carboxylic acid 38348951 Click to see 278.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Allamandin 5281540 Click to see CC=C1C2C3(C=CC4C3C(O2)OC(C4C(=O)OC)O)OC1=O 308.28 unknown via CMAUP database
Isoplumericin 5281543 Click to see CC=C1C2C3(C=CC4C3C(O2)OC=C4C(=O)OC)OC1=O 290.27 unknown via CMAUP database
methyl (1S,4S,8R,10S,11S,14S)-11-ethyl-12-oxo-7,9,13-trioxatetracyclo[6.5.1.01,10.04,14]tetradeca-2,5-diene-5-carboxylate 95790359 Click to see CCC1C2C3(C=CC4C3C(O2)OC=C4C(=O)OC)OC1=O 292.28 unknown via CMAUP database
Plumericin 5281545 Click to see 290.27 unknown via CMAUP database
Plumeridoid C 123964288 Click to see 310.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(4aS,6aS,6aS,6bR,8aS,9R,10S,12aR,14bS)-10-[(2S,3R,4S,5S)-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6S)-4-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S)-3,5-dihydroxy-4-[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid 162883424 Click to see 1177.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-6215(89)84151-5
10-[3-[4-[5-[3,5-Dihydroxy-4-(3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl)oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid 162883423 Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(COC2OC3CCC4(C(C3(C)CO)CCC5(C4CC=C6C5(CCC7(C6CC(CC7)(C)C)C(=O)O)C)C)C)O)O)O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)CO)OC9C(C(C(CO9)O)OC1C(C(C(CO1)O)O)O)O)O)O)O 1177.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-6215(89)84151-5
Arjunolic acid 73641 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)CO)O)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C(=O)O)C 488.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Beta-Amyrin Acetate 92156 Click to see 468.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Betulinic Acid 64971 Click to see 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Lupeol 259846 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Lupeol Acetate 92157 Click to see 468.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives
(1S,3R,6S,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-15-[(2R,5R)-5-hydroxy-6-methylhept-6-en-2-yl]-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-ol 14313591 Click to see 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
Sitogluside 5742590 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Benzoquinones / P-benzoquinones
2,6-Dimethoxyquinone 68262 Click to see COC1=CC(=O)C=C(C1=O)OC 168.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Phenylketones / Alkyl-phenylketones
Paroxypropione 6271 Click to see CCC(=O)C1=CC=C(C=C1)O 150.17 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrans / Pyranones and derivatives
Fulvoplumierin 5281541 Click to see CC=CC=C1C=CC2=C1C(=O)OC=C2C(=O)OC 244.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyridines and derivatives
(7S)-3'-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]spiro[5,6-dihydrocyclopenta[c]pyridine-7,5'-furan]-2'-one 45101897 Click to see 231.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolizines
Plumerinine 14583329 Click to see CC1CCC(N2C1CC(CC2C(C)C)O)C 225.37 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids
P-Coumaric Acid 637542 Click to see 164.16 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins
Scopoletin 5280460 Click to see 192.17 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Kaempferol 5280863 Click to see 286.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides
(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(2R,3S)-3-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-5-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 14757896 Click to see 510.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
3',5-Dihydroxy-4',7-dimethoxyflavone 5320496 Click to see 314.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Ayanin 5280682 Click to see 344.30 unknown via CMAUP database

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