Wild violet tree

Wild violet tree
Wild violet tree ( Securidaca longipedunculata ), infructescence
Systematics
Eurosiden I Order : Fabales (Fabales) Family : Finial family (Polygalaceae) Tribe : Polygaleae Genre : Securidaca Type : Wild violet tree
Scientific name
Securidaca longipedunculata
Fresen.

The Wild Violet tree ( Securidaca longipedunculata ) is a plant from the genus Securidaca within the family of polygalaceae (Polygalaceae). It is used so widely in its range that the conservation of this species is endangered.

Description and phenology

Habit, bark and leaves

Simple leaves and inflorescence with zygomorphic flowers

Vegetative characteristics

The wild violet tree grows depending on the location as a deciduous to semi- evergreen , shrub or small to medium-sized tree and reaches heights of 4 to 6, more rarely up to 12 meters. It is well branched and forms open crowns. The trunk is flattened to slightly grooved. The characteristic smooth bark is light gray. The bark of the relatively small twigs is very finely haired. It is armed with thorns .

The leaves are arranged alternately or crown compact thorn branches that sometimes end in a prickly tip. The leaves are divided into a petiole and a leaf blade. The slender petiole is up to 5 millimeters long, the leaves are variable in size and shape. Initially the leaves are finely hairy and later bald. The simple, leathery, gray-green leaf blade is 1 to 5 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide and elongated to narrow-elliptical with a tapering blade base and rounded upper end.

Generative characteristics

The flowering time depends on the beginning of the rainy season, at the same time as the new leaves appear, and in South Africa it is in spring to early summer. The 3 to 5 centimeter long inflorescence stands at the end or on the side of a slender inflorescence stem . The flower stalk is long and slender.

The relatively small, sweet-smelling, hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic with a length of about 10 millimeters and have a double flower envelope . Of the five dissimilar sepals, the two lateral ones are petaloid, large and wing-like. The color of the corollas changes from pink to lavender or purple. Of the three free petals, the middle one is hook-shaped. The eight stamens have grown together to form a split tube.

The fruits often linger on the branches for months and it is said that the ones that hang the longest germinate best. The wild violet tree bears fruit from the South African autumn between April and August. The more or less round nut fruit is relatively heavily veined or, less often, smooth and has a wing on one side. The distinctive, elongated, strongly curved, membranous wing up to 4 centimeters long is initially purple-green and later becomes light-straw-colored. The thousand grain weight is 241.97 g or 250.22 g, depending on the source.

ecology

Securidaca longipedunculata is particularly frequented by birds, butterflies and other insects during the flowering period .

Systematics

The generic name Securidaca is derived from the Latin word securis for hatchet and refers to the shape of the wing on the fruit. The specific epithet longipedunculata refers to the long inflorescence stem.

From Securidaca longipedunculata there are two varieties Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. var. longepedunculata and Securidaca longepedunculata var. parvifolia Oliv.

Occurrence

Securidaca longipedunculata is common in some tropical to subtropical areas of Africa. There are sites in Eritrea , Ethiopia , Angola , Benin , Burundi , Cameroon , Chad , Ivory Coast , the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Gambia , Ghana , Guinea , Kenya , Malawi , Mali , Mozambique , Niger , Nigeria , Rwanda , Senegal , Sierra Leone , Sudan , Tanzania , Uganda , Zambia , Zimbabwe , Botswana , Namibia and South Africa. Within South Africa, one of the two subspecies occurs only in Limpopo and the other is also found in the northwestern provinces of Gauteng and northwest .

Securidaca longipedunculata thrives in diverse vegetation areas such as semi-arid bushland to dense forests, including various wooded lands and shrub habitats, as well as gallery forests or the miombo . The wild violet tree thrives in woodlands and dry savannas .

Its growth varies and depends on the climate or altitude. The range of possible climates ranges from subtropical to hot and arid to summer rain areas and equatorially humid. It occurs at altitudes from 0 to 1800 meters. Securidaca longipedunculata thrives with average annual rainfall of 600 to 1000 mm. It usually thrives on acidic, sandy or stony soils . Securidaca longipedunculata is resistant to bushfires and sensitive to frost.

Hazard and protection

The two varieties of Securidaca longipedunculata are rated in the Red List of Endangered Species in South Africa as “Least Concern” = “not endangered”.

Securidaca longipedunculata suffers from overuse as a medicinal plant for traditional medicine . Dry periods and bush fires also endanger the spread and preservation of this species.

Securidaca longipedunculata has been included in the list of the "National Forest Law of South Africa" ​​from 1988 as a protected tree. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has also included Securidaca longipedunculata (loosely translated as "Adopt a seed - get a species") in its campaign.

Common names

The common English name is: Violet tree, in afrikaans : Krinkhout, in Manding : Satene, Setswana : Mmaba, Tshivenda : Mpesu, Sukuma : Nengonengo, Acholi : Laliya, Yao: Luguluka, Nyakasasi, Shambaa: Mbazu, Dioula : Pelga, Moore, Chidigo / Swahili : Mzigi, Kihehe : Mulyasenga, Mwera: Mtikwi.

Use and ethnobotany

Securidaca longipedunculata is used as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens and is planted as a hedge, for example .

Securidaca longipedunculata is a magical tree among the Vhavenda people in Limpopo Province . In Limpopo, the roots are used by the Vhavenda to prevent mental illness , they also believe that these roots protect children from illness while breastfeeding .

All plant parts of Securidaca longipedunculata are used: roots, bark, bark, wood, seeds, leaves. Usage in different countries is indicated differently.

Young leaves are eaten cooked as vegetables or in sauces.

The roots of Securidaca longipedunculata are used to treat cough , chest discomfort , toothache , gout , fever , constipation , diabetes, and microbial infections . Its anti-inflammatory properties help relieve arthritic pain.

Methyl salicylate

The roots are extremely poisonous, smell like wintergreen oil and contain methyl salicylate , which is probably the reason for the many uses. In West Africa it is used as an arrow poison in hunting. From the mixture of a methanol extract and the methyl salicylate components of the roots, a poison is obtained that is used for many purposes.

In Zimbabwe, the roots are used to treat people who appear to be infested with evil spirits and they are also used for snake bites as well as in Burkina Faso.

The bark is used to make soap. The bark provides permanent fibers. The bark is used to make fishing nets and baskets.

The seeds are used to produce oil. The ingredients are removed from the leaves by squeezing them with water.

Use as a pesticide

The bark of the roots and the roots themselves, powdered, can be sprinkled in grain stores to serve as a (bio) insecticide against beetles . This application benefits small self-sufficient farmers who cannot afford the chemical pesticides financially.

The dried roots of the wild violet tree can be ground into a fine powder and are used to protect grain stores. Methyl salicylate is known as a herbal ingredient that has insect repellent properties. In the wild violet tree, 90% of the soluble components in the roots are methyl salicylate, which is quite unusual.

A mixture of a methanol extract and methyl salicylate results in an effective "(bio) pesticide " against weevils and other insects in stock cereals . Studies on cow beans and maize showed that after 6 days the mortality of adult beetles exposed to this powder in a closed container was 100%.

In addition, the use of the wild violet tree was reduced by 65% ​​in maize already infested with weevils . The most common Vorschädlinge are maize weevil ( Sitophylus zeamais ), lesser grain borer ( Rhyzopertha dominica ) and large grain drill ( Prostephanus truncates ). Studies suggest that the corn beetle is able to smell the smell of methyl salicylate and tries to avoid it. The wild violet tree provides both a repellent and a poison that helps reduce the number of female eggs in the stored grain .

This form of use of the (bio) pesticide is very effective and allows maize to be stored for at least 9 months. This discovery gives small farmers an inexpensive natural alternative to synthetic pesticides. In some developing countries it is difficult for poor farmers to get access to affordable and good quality pesticides.

Obstacles to greater use

The wild violet tree is used for many different purposes, and one of the most common uses is to take the root. But if the roots of Securidaca longipedunculata are constantly pruned and thus harvested, it is difficult for the plants to survive.

The use of the wild violet tree as a "pesticide" for storing grains is not very common. Although very effective as an insecticide to store corn for long periods of time, there are obstacles to its spreading use . Since it is uncertain that the raw material of the wild violet tree is available in sufficient quantities, there are few incentives to invest in a project like the production of a (bio) insecticide. In addition, studies show that a certain concentration of the active ingredient, methyl salicylate, is necessary to be effective as an insecticide. Improved technology is needed to get the powder to reach all of the grain so that the insecticide works as a defense barrier.

Shoveling the corn kernels by hand is labor-intensive for the farmer and does not always ensure that all the kernels are collected. One solution could be to mix the powder with water. An extract could be useful for corn seeds because the smooth surface of corn kernels prevents the wild violet tree powder from adhering to the surface. This would make it possible to apply the dressing evenly. However, more tests and studies are needed to improve this procedure.

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Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} Braam Van Wyk, Piet Van Wyk: Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Field Guides) , Struik Publishers, 1997, p. 210. ISBN 978-1868259229 .
2. ↑ ^{a b c d e f} data sheet at Useful Tropical Plants .
3. ↑ ^{a b} JAO Ojewole: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of Securidaca longepedunculata (Fresen.) [Polygalaceae] root bark Aqueous Extract. In: Inflammopharmacology , Volume 16, Issue 4, 2008, pp. 174-181.
4. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t} Avhurengwi Phillemon Ndou, 2006: Data sheet at PlantZAfrica of the South African National Biodiversity Institute.
5. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r} Orwa et al., 2009: Agroforestry Database 4.0 PDF.
6. ↑ Data sheet at PROTA4U - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa . ( Memento of the original from March 25, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
7. ↑ ^{a b c} varieties of Securidaca longipedunculata in the Red List of South African Plants
8. ↑ ANNEXES, A. Trees of Conservation Concern, B. List of Protected Trees in South Africa , 2011 PDF.
9. ↑ Data sheet from Adopt a seed of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew . ( Memento of the original from March 24, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
10. ↑ Adopt a seed - save a species  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
11. ↑ ^{a b c} data sheet at ABCIC = African Biodiversity Conservation and Innovations Center . ( Memento of the original from March 24, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
12. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h} Philip C. Stevenson, Thamara K. Dayarathna, Steven R. Belmain, Nigel C. Veitch: Bisdesmosidic Saponins From Roots: Evaluation of Deterrency and Toxicity to Coleopteran Storage Pests. In: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry , 2009. doi : 10.1021 / jf901599j
13. ↑ Thamara K. Jayasekara, Philip C. Stevenson, David R. Hall, Steven R. Belmain: Effect of Volatile Constituents from Securidaca Longepedunculata on Insect pests Of Stored Grain. In: Journal of Chemical Ecology , Volume 31, Issue 2, 2005, pp. 303-313. Abstract.
14. ↑ [1]
15. ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original from April 3, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
16. ↑ ^{a b} TK Jayasekara, SR Belmain, PC Stevenson, DR Hall: Securidaca longepidunculata (Fres.) As a control for stored product insect pests. Conference: Advances in Stored Product Protection. Proceedings of the 8th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection , York, UK, July 22-26, 2002, In: PF Credland, DM Armitage, CH Bell, PM Cogan E. Highley (Ed.): Advances in stored product protection. Proceedings of the 8th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection , pp. 596-599. ISBN 0-85199-691-4 abstract.
17. ↑ D. Grzywacz, PC Stevenson, WL Mushobozi, S. Belmain, K. Wilson: The use of indigenous ecological resources for pest control in Africa. In: Food Security , Volume 6, Issue 1, 2014, pp. 71–86. PDF.

further reading

• AO Alafe, TO Elufioye, OS Faborode, JO Moody: Anti-Inflamatory and Analgesic Activities of Securidaca longepedunculata Fers (Polygalaceae) Leaf and Stem Bark Methanolic Extract. In: Afr. J. Biomed. Res. , Vol. 17, September 2014, pp. 187-191. PDF.
• Charles O. Okoli, Peter A. Akah, U. Ezugworie: Anti-inflammatory activity of extract of root bark of Securidaca longepedunculata Fres (Polygalaceae). In: African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines - African Ethnomedicines Network , Volume 3, Issue 1, 2006, pp. 54-63. ISSN  0189-6016 online.
• NI Mongalo, LJ McGaw, JF Finnie, J. Van Staden: Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae): a review of its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and toxicology. In: Journal of Ethnopharmacology , Volume 165, 2015, pp. 215-26. doi : 10.1016 / j.jep.2015.02.041
• Vincent Carruthers: Fauna and Flora in Southern Africa: A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the Region. 2001. Namibiana Book Depot, Delmenhorst. ISBN 978-393685817-4 .
• August Sycholt: Travel Guide Nature - Southern Africa , BLV Verlag, Munich, 1995. ISBN 978-340514511-8 .
• Birgit Aderbauer, Matthias F. Melzig: Securidaca longepedunculata Fres., The wild violet tree . In: Journal for Phytotherapy , Volume 28, Issue 2, 2007, pp. 97-102, doi : 10.1055 / s-2007-981628 , portrait of a medicinal plant, Hippokrates Verlag in MVS Medizinverlage, Stuttgart.
• A. Hutchings: Zulu medicinal plants. To inventory. University of Zululand, Scottsville, South Africa, 1996. (English)
• E. Schimidt, M. Lotter, W. McCleland. Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Jacana Publications, Houghton, Johannesburg, 2002. (English)
• AE Van Wyk, P. Van Wyk, BE. Van Wyk: Photographic guide to trees of southern Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria, 2000. (English)
• BE. Van Wyk, N. Gericke: A guide to useful plants of southern Africa. Briza Publications Pretoria, 2000. (English)
• BE. Van Wyk, B. Van Oudtshoorn, N. Gericke: Medicinal plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria, 1997. (English)

Web links

Commons : Wild violet tree ( Securidaca longipedunculata )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Securidaca longipedunculata at Plants For A Future . Retrieved March 21, 2016.
• PDF of the Medical Mission Aid .

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !

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