Griffonia simplicifolia

Botanical Description

Griffonia simplicifolia is an evergreen, hard-wooded shrub or large climbing plant with short strong woody tendrils. It can grow to about 3 metres tall[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. , 328 Title African Flowering Plants Database Publication Author Website http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php Publisher Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques. Year 0 ISBN Description Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map. , 375 Title Grassland Species - Profiles Publication Author Website http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses. ]. A multipurpose plant with a wide range of medicinal uses, some minor edible uses and various miscellaneous uses, it is commonly harvested from the wild for the local community. The seeds are a commercial source of 5-HTP, a serotonin precursor widely used in the treatment of depression and other conditions. The seeds are collected from the wild on a commercial basis and are sold internationally in large quantities[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ]. Even though Griffonia simplicifolia is reportedly common, the high commercial value of the seeds forms a serious threat. Destructive harvesting combined with high grazing pressure could contribute to reduction of populations[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ].