Anthocleista madagascariensis

Description

Anthocleista madagascariensis contains the monoterpene alkaloid gentianine. In Anthocleista procera Lepr. ex Bureau this compound arises as an artifact in the isolation of swertiamarin, but the presence of swertiamarin in Anthocleista madagascariensis has not been established. Different extracts were shown to have a strong effect on the nervous system and on the heart, lowering the rhythm and diminishing the amplitude of the Small tree up to 15 m tall; bole up to 30 cm in diameter; twigs without spines. Leaves opposite, simple and entire; petiole 1�2.5(�4) cm long, slightly auricled; blade oblong-obovate or oblanceolate, 5�17 cm � 2�9 cm, in young plants up to 24 cm � 11 cm, base decurrent into the petiole, apex rounded, margin revolute when dry. Inflorescence an erect terminal dichasial cyme, 5�20 cm long, many-flowered; peduncle and branches creamy or pale green. Flowers bisexual, regular; sepals 4, free, orbicular or broadly ovate, 5�9 mm long; corolla with cylindrical tube 8�12 mm long, lobes 10, orbicular or elliptical, 7�10 mm long, apex obtuse or rounded, spreading, violet; stamens as many as corolla lobes and alternating with them, exserted, filaments fused, anthers brownish white with an often large petal-like sterile acute apex; ovary superior, obovoid, 5�6 mm � 2.5�3 mm, 4-celled, stigma obovoid, apically slightly notched. Fruit a globose to ovoid berry 2.5�4 cm � 1.5�2.5 cm, smooth and shining, apiculate, thick-walled, many-seeded. Seeds obliquely ovoid to ellipsoid, 2�2.5 mm � 1.5�2.5 mm, medium brown, usually surrounded by a narrow ridge. Birds often visit the nectar-rich flowers. The seeds of Anthocleista madagascariensis are probably dispersed by bats, which eat the fruits. Anthocleista comprises 14 species and occurs in tropical Africa, including Comoros and Madagascar