Zanthoxylum heterophyllum
| Zanthoxylum heterophyllum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Zanthoxylum |
| Species: | Z. heterophyllum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Zanthoxylum heterophyllum (Lam.) Smith
| |
Zanthoxylum heterophyllum is a species of plant in the family Rutaceae. It is found in Mauritius and Réunion. It is threatened by habitat loss.[2] A large tree reaching 30 to 50 cm in diameter, the timber was formerly used for house construction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed it as critically endangered since 1998.[3]
This species also occurred in Rodrigues, where it had been eradicated. In Mauritius, in 2013, less than 40 individuals were known in the wild.[4][3]
Schmelzer and Gurib-Fakim record that Zanthoxylum heterophyllum, known as bois de poivre (pepper wood), in reference to the taste of the fruit and/or its peppercorn appearance, was a medicinal plant in Réunion. The stem bark decoction was a sudorific, purgative, tonic and stomachic, to treat rheumatism, kidney pain, dysentery and toothache. For the latter ash of the stem bark relieved pain, and tea of the leaves, which are distinctly different between young and adult plants, was taken to increase milk flow of nursing mothers, and was externally applied to skin irritations.[5]
References
- ^ Page, W. (1998). "Zanthoxylum heterophyllum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998 e.T30559A9552975. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T30559A9552975.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ Page, W. 1998. Zanthoxylum heterophyllum
- ^ a b "Bois de catafaille nois. Zanthoxylum heterophyllum".
- ^ "Bone. A proposal for rare plant rescue: Zanthoxylum paniculatum, endemic to Rodrigues" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
- ^ Schmelzer, G. H.; Gurib-Fakim, Ameenah (2008). Medicinal plant. Plant resources of tropical Africa. Fondation PROTA. Wageningen: Fondation PROTA. ISBN 978-90-5782-204-9.