Ximenia americana

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Ximenia americana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Santalales
Family: Olacaceae
Genus: Ximenia
Species: X. americana
Binomial name
Ximenia americana
L.

Ximenia americana, commonly known as yellow plum or sea lemon, is a small sprawling tree of woodlands native to the tropics.

Leaves are oval shaped, bright green and have a strong smell of almonds. Flowers are pale in color. Fruits are lemon-yellow or orange-red.[1]

Uses

As food

The fruits have a pleasant plum-like flavor. In Asia, the young leaves are cooked as a vegetable. However, the leaves also contain cyanide and need to be thoroughly cooked, and should not be eaten in large amounts.

In medicine

It is being investigated by researchers from Nigeria's Ahamadu Bello University. In animal tests, it is showing promise against the parasite that causes sleeping sickness and severe anaemia in livestock in many parts of Africa.[2] Leaf extract is active against Escherischia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, starch, general glycosides and bitter principles can be found in the extract.[3] Indigenous people of Florida used the bark to treat sore muscles and gums.[4]

The root also contains the fatty acids tariric acid and 10Z,14E,16E-octadeca-10,14,16-triene-12-ynoic acid.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Low, T., Wild Food Plants of Australia, 1991. ISBN 0-207-16930-6
  2. ↑ See this open-access journal: http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR/PDF/pdf2008/March/Maikai%20et%20al.pdf
  3. ↑ Short Communication: Studies of antimicrobial activity and chemical constituents of Ximenia americana. DS Ogunleye and SF Ibitoye, Trop J Pharm Res, December 2003, 2(2), pages 239-241 (abstract)
  4. ↑ 50 Common Native Plants Important In Florida's Ethnobotanical History by Ginger M. Allen, Michael D. Bond, and Martin B. Main. University of Florida IFAS Extension. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw152
  5. ↑ C18 Acetylenic Fatty Acids of Ximenia americana with Potential Pesticidal Activity. Majekodunmi O. Fatope, Oumar A. Adoum and Yoshio Takeda, J. Agric. Food Chem., 2000, 48 (5), pages 1872–1874, doi:10.1021/jf990550k

External links


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