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Fabaceae FAMILY Vulnerable

Michelsonia microphylla

Michelsonia microphylla

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Michelsonia microphylla is a tree with a spreading crown; it can grow 30 metres or more tall. The cylindrical bole can be free of branches for 12 metres or more, around 80cm or more in diameter, sometimes with small buttresses at the base[ 896 Title Monopetalanthus exit. A systematic study of Aphanocalyx, Bikinia, Icuria, Michelsonia and Tetraberlinia Publication Wageningen Agricultural University Papers 99-4 Author Wieringa J.J. Publisher Wageningen University; Holland Year 1999 ISBN 90-5808-121-4 Description A university thesis, it is a revision of the genus Monopetalanthus and related genera with a very good description of the species, including known uses. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. This species was first collected around 1943; it was extensively logged in the late 1940's and the 1950's and in general has become very rare, and could not be traced recently[ 896 Title Monopetalanthus exit. A systematic study of Aphanocalyx, Bikinia, Icuria, Michelsonia and Tetraberlinia Publication Wageningen Agricultural University Papers 99-4 Author Wieringa J.J. Publisher Wageningen University; Holland Year 1999 ISBN 90-5808-121-4 Description A university thesis, it is a revision of the genus Monopetalanthus and related genera with a very good description of the species, including known uses. ]. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical
Native RangeTropical Africa - eastern DR Congo.
HabitatSub-montane areas, at elevations from 650 - 1,100 metres; growing on hill tops and slopes; also in valleys and small canyons, but never in swampy conditions; primary forest; it may become common locally and may even form almost pure stands[ 896 Title Monopetalanthus exit. A systematic study of Aphanocalyx, Bikinia, Icuria, Michelsonia and Tetraberlinia Publication Wageningen Agricultural University Papers 99-4 Author Wieringa J.J. Publisher Wageningen University; Holland Year 1999 ISBN 90-5808-121-4 Description A university thesis, it is a revision of the genus Monopetalanthus and related genera with a very good description of the species, including known uses. ].