Distemonanthus

Distemonanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. It belongs to the subfamily Dialioideae.^[1] It contains a single species, Distemonanthus benthamianus, a deciduous tree,^[2] which occurs widely but sparsely in the forest regions of Tropical West and Central Africa; it is sometimes confused with Pericopsis laxiflora due to similar morphological features.^[3]

Distemonanthus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Dialioideae
Genus:	Distemonanthus Benth.
Species:	D. benthamianus
Binomial name
Distemonanthus benthamianus Baill.

Mature heartwood has a moderate resistance to fungi.

Description

A big tree, it grows up to 40 meters tall and 90 cm in diameter. Trunk is straight but can sometimes be slightly sinuous; fairly spreading buttress roots at the base, free of branches for up to 20 meters. Bark, brown - reddish brown. Leaves, pinnately compound arrangement, 7 - 10 leaflets. Leaf-blade, ovate - elliptical in outline. Fruit, indehiscent pods^[3]

Distribution

Tree grows in the high forest of West and Central Africa. Occurs in Gabon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon. In Gabon, it is known as Movingui.^[4]

Uses

Parts of the root is used as a chewing stick for dental hygiene in parts of Nigeria. Bark extracts are used to treat incidents of diarrhea by traditional health practitioners.^[5] Used also for decorative veneers and joinery.^[4]