Bridelia micrantha


Bridelia micrantha, the mitzeeri or the coastal golden-leaf, is a tree in the family Phyllanthaceae and is native to tropical and southern Africa as well as to the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean.

Description

A medium to tall tree, with a dense widely spreading crown. The leaves are large, alternate and simple. The tree may be deciduous or evergreen.

Habitat

They are found growing in coastal forests, riverine forest, swamp forest, woodland and along forest margins.

Native distribution

Bridelia micrantha is native to primarily tropical, northeast, western, west-central, and southern Africa ; Sudan; Tanzania ; and the western Indian Ocean island of Réunion.

Ecological significance

Bridelia micrantha is a larval food plant for butterflies such as: Abantis paradisea, Charaxes castor flavifasciatus and Parosmodes morantii morantii, and also the silkmoth Anaphe panda.

Ethnobotanical medicinal use

Bridelia micrantha has been used locally in folk medicine, variously as an anti-abortifacient, an antidote, a laxative or purgative; and to treat diverse conditions of the central nervous system, eye, the gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, and the skin ; and used hygienically as a mouthwash.