Canarium schweinfurthii
| African canarium | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Hyparrhenia |
| Species: | H. filipendula |
| Binomial name | |
| Hyparrhenia filipendula Engl. | |
Canarium schweinfurthii, commonly known as African elemi or canarium is a species of large tree native to tropical Africa.[1] Aboriginal names in many African languages are variations of mupafu.[2]
Description
Because of similarities in their fruit and leaves, African elemi may be confused with Dacryodes edulis.[3]
Distribution and habitat
African elemi is found from the coast of Angola to Uganda.[3]
Uses
The African elemi tree is one of several sources of the economically useful oleoresin known elemi. In West Africa this resin is traditionally burned for fumigating dwellings and mixed with oil for body paint.[4] African elemi bears edible fruit with a thick, dense, hard shell.[3]
Notes
References
- ICRAF. "Canarium schweinfurthii". Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- H., J. H. (1906-01-01). "The Eben Tree of Old Calabar. (Pachylobus edulis, G. Don.)". Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information (Royal Gardens, Kew) 1906 (5): 172–173. doi:10.2307/4111299. ISSN 0366-4457. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- Mantell, C. L. (1950-07-01). "The Natural Hard Resins: Their Botany, Sources and Utilization". Economic Botany 4 (3): 203–242. doi:10.2307/4251986. ISSN 0013-0001. Retrieved 2012-11-26.