Stereospermum kunthianum Cham.
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Stereospermum kunthianum Cham.
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Bignoniaceae
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Author: Sandrine Petit |
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Local vernacular names: ‘Golombi’, ‘Ngolobi’ in Fulfuldé, ‘Kmaniga’, ‘Knalilinga’ in Gourmantché, ‘Buambako’, ‘Nikilenga’, ‘Vulga’ in Moré. Small tree up to 12 or 15 m high, but generally 5 or 6 m high in Sahel. The tree blossoms in the dry season when it is leafless. The abundant pink or purplish flowers make the tree a spectacular feature. The trunk is rarely straight and often has fork s and twisted branches. Calyx campanulate, 5-6 mm. long, softly tomentellous to nearly glabrous outside; corolla about 5 cm. long, tube softly pubescent outside; leaflets 3-4 pairs, stalked, oblong or oblong elliptic, shortly acuminate, 5-10 cm. long, entire or crennate-serrate, glabrous or softly pubescent; panicle large, usually softly pubescent; capsule cylindrical, elongate, up to 60 cm. long; seeds winged at each end, 2.5-3 cm. long. Habitat Sudano-guinean savannahs. Up to an altitude of 2000 m. Soil The tree prefers sandy and clay soils. It is found on termite talus. Distribution From Senegal to East Africa. Propagation Seeds difficult to germinate. Propagation by runners. Young are not resistant to fire. Products & uses In the North of Cameroon, it is managed as forage for horses. In the sudano-guinean savannas, its foliage is browsed by cattle. White wood with yellowish or pinkish stains, not very stiff; Wood used for making mortars. Poor quality firewood. In Burkina Faso, it is considered as a bad omen. When burnt, the fumes are considered to be toxic by local people and the source of bad feelings in the household. The bark is used in human medicine for bronchitis; roots and leaves are used to cure infections and when people are exhausted. Geerling, C. (1982); Hutchinson, J. and J.M. Dalziel (1963); Maydell, von H.-J. (1983) ; Tiquet, J. (1983) |