Erythrophleum suaveolens
| Erythrophleum suaveolens | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Genus: | Erythrophleum |
| Species: | E. suaveolens |
| Binomial name | |
| Erythrophleum suaveolens | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
List
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Erythrophleum suaveolens, also known as the ordeal tree, is a species of flowering plant that can be found across most of tropical Africa.[3] The species are 20 metres (66 ft) in height, and have a rough and blackish bark. The plants leaves have 2–3 pairs of pinnae, which carry 7–13 leaflets. The leaflets are 5 by 2.5 centimetres (1.97 in × 0.98 in), are green coloured and ovate. The flowers have fluffy spikes, and are creamy-yellow coloured. Fruits are hard, the pod of which is flat.[4]
The bark of the tree has been used in Liberia to make a toxic concoction used for a form of trial by ordeal called "sassywood".[5] This use has given it the common name of the "Ordeal Tree".[6]
References
- ↑ Hills, R. (2019). "Erythrophleum suaveolens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019 e.T62025437A62025442. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T62025437A62025442.en. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ↑ "Flora of Mozambique: Species information: Erythrophleum suaveolens". www.mozambiqueflora.com. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
- ↑ "Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Erythrophleum suaveolens". www.zimbabweflora.co.zw. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
- ↑ Leeson, P. T.; Coyne, C. J. (2012). "Sassywood" (PDF). Journal of Comparative Economics. 40 (4): 608. doi:10.1016/j.jce.2012.02.002.
- ↑ "Erythrophleum suaveolens". Urban Forest. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
External links