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Gardenia erubescens
Species of plant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Gardenia erubescens is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Rubiaceae.[2][3] It has edible fruits and occurs in the Guinea and Sudan savannah vegetation of West and Central Africa.[4]
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Description
A shrub or small tree, the species grows to 3 meters in height. Leaves are opposite, grows on the end of short branches and grouped in tufts, when dry, the foliage have a purple greyish color on the upper surface which becomes a little duller beneath,[5][4] both sides are glabrous. Stipules are 2–4 mm long, leaf-blade is broadly obovate.[4] Inflorescence; flowers are solitary or in small clusters, calyx is tubular consisting of 6 linear lobes, corolla, also is in a tubular form, consisting of about 6 elliptic lobes. Fruit has an ellipsoid or ovoid shape, it is yellowish in color when ripe, about 3–8 cm long.[4][6]
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Distribution
Commonly occurs in woodland savannas in West African countries of Senegal, Nigeria, and eastwards towards Central Africa.
Chemistry
Test on plant extracts identified the presence of the compounds beta-sitosterol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and a group of methylated flavonoids that includes 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone and triterpenoids.[7][8][9]
Uses
In parts of Northern Nigeria, a decoction of the species is used to treat a variety of health issues including gonorrhea, ascites and loss of appetite, extracts are also used as an aphrodisiac and stimulant.[7] Its edible fruit are consumed by locals.
References
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