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

  1. ICRAF
  2. H 1906, p. 173.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 H 1906, p. 172.
  4. Mantell & 1950 233.

References

External links