West African Cedar

Entandrophragma candollei

Physical Characteristics

Entandrophragma candollei is a deciduous Tree growing to 50 m (164ft) by 30 m (98ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Western tropical Africa - Liberia to Zaire and Angola.

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Parasiticide The bark is used in traditional medicine[ 299 ]. The sap of the bark is applied externally as an anodyne[ 299 ]. The sap of the root bark is applied to snakebites[ 299 ]. The limonoids prieurianin and epoxyprieurianin have been isolated from the bark. These compounds and their acetates exhibited strong antifeedant activity against the gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera[ 299 ]. Atomasin A and atomasin B are other limonoids that have been isolated. The first compound showed moderate in-vitro inhibitory activity against chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum[ 299 ]. The triterpenoid methyl angolensate has been isolated from the roots[ 299 ].

Known Hazards

None known