Megaphrynium macrostachyum
| Megaphrynium macrostachyum | |
|---|---|
| File:Sarcophrynium arnoldianum - leaves detail.jpg | |
| File:Megaphrynium macrostachyum-Jardin botanique Meise (1).jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Marantaceae |
| Genus: | Megaphrynium |
| Species: | M. macrostachyum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Megaphrynium macrostachyum (K.Schum.) Milne-Redh
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Megaphrynium macrostachyum is a species of large plant in the Marantaceae family native to tropical Africa.[1] It grows in moist places and regenerates rapidly after ground disturbance or fire. The long stems have various uses in making cord, baskets and mats, and the large leaves are used for wrapping food, for making utensils and containers, and in herbal medicine.
Description
Distribution
Megaphrynium macrostachyum is native to tropical, sub-Saharan Africa, its range extending from Liberia to South Sudan and Uganda, and southward to Gabon, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, at altitudes of up to 1,500 m (5,000 ft).[2]
Ecology
Megaphrynium macrostachyum is a large, fast-growing plant. It occurs in wet habitats in both primary and secondary forests, in clearings, in logged areas and on fallow land. It regenerates from the rhizome after wildfires and other disturbances and may form dense, monospecific patches which may reduce the regeneration of trees. The flowers are attractive to bees and the rhizomes are eaten by gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos.
Uses
The leaves of Megaphrynium macrostachyum are used to wrap food while it is cooking, imparting a characteristic aroma to the food. For example, it is the preferred wrapping for a staple dish of central Africa, chikwangue (cassava bread).[3] The young leaves can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable and older leaves are used to make disposable table-wear, containers, funnels, pots, fans and parasols. The petioles, either whole or split, are used to make cord, baskets and mats.[2] The leaves are also used in herbal medicine as a sedative and to treat epilepsy and mental problems, another use being as an antidote to snake venom and arthropod stings.[4]
Research
Megaphrynium macrostachyum has been used in research into the manufacture of silver nanoparticles by plant extracts. The nanoparticles show antimicrobial activity against E. coli and can "find immense application in the field of biomedical appliances and formulation of antimicrobial agents and in combination with antibiotics".[5] Other research showed that a leaf extract given at low dose rates may positively affect blood producing tissues.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Megaphrynium macrostachyum (K.Schum.) Milne-Redh., Kew Bull. 7: 170 (1952)". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Kewscience. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBrink - ↑ Ze, Nardis Nkoudou; Engama, Marie-Joseph Medzeme; Ngang, Jean Justin Essia (18 August 2021). "New retting method of cassava roots improve sensory attributes of Bobolo and Chikwangue in Central Africa: an approach through just about right (JAR) test". Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture: 475–482. doi:10.9755/ejfa.2021.v33.i6.2716. S2CID 237952460.; "Baton de Manioc and Chikwangue". The Congo Cookbook. 6 August 2018.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Okungbowa, M.A.; Osime, E.O.; Enwema, J.C.; Aruomaren, A.I. (2013). "Effect of Megaphrynium Macrostachyum Leaf Extract on some Haematological Parameters using Albino Rats: A Preliminary Study". Annals of Biomedical Sciences. 12 (2): 21–28.
- ↑ Meva, Francois Eya'ane; Ebongue, Cecile Okalla; Fannang, Simone Véronique; et al. (2017). "Natural Substances for the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles against Escherichia coli: The Case of Megaphrynium macrostachyum (Marantaceae), Corchorus olitorus (Tiliaceae), Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiaceae), Gnetum bucholzianum (Gnetaceae), and Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae)". Journal of Nanomaterials. 2017: 1–6. doi:10.1155/2017/6834726.