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Pausinystalia macroceras - (K.Schum.) Pierre

Common Name False johimbe
Family Rubiaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats An understorey tree in forests[332 ].
Range West tropical Africa - southern Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, DR Congo, northern Angola.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (5 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Semi-shade
Pausinystalia macroceras False johimbe


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Pausinystalia macroceras False johimbe
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Summary

Pausinystalia macroceras is an evergreen tree growing up to 40m in height. It has a straight, cylindrical trunk that can be up to 50cm in diameter. It can be found in West tropical Africa and is one of the five species in the Pausinystalia genus. The bark is used as an aphrodisiac and anti-hypnotic. It has similar medicinal properties and uses to that of Yohimbe (Pausinystalia johimbe). The wood is used for fuel and as construction material.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Pausinystalia macroceras is an evergreen Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Corynanthe bequaertii De Wild. Corynanthe gabonensis A.Chev. Corynanthe macroceras K.Schum. Pausinys

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Aphrodisiac  Cardiac  Hallucinogenic  Hypotensive  Parasiticide  Stimulant  Vasodilator

The bark is very widely used as an aphrodisiac and anti-hypnotic[332 ]. The bark sap is applied topically to treat cutaneous and subcutaneous parasitic infections[332 ]. This species is closely related to Pausinystalia johimbe, and is said to have the same medicinal properties and uses[303 ]. These are:- The bark contains up to 6% of a mixture of indole alkaloids, the principle one being yohimbine (which is also known as aphrodine), plus pigments and tannins[254 , 418 ]. The alkaloids have a cerebral stimulant action at low doses, but are highly toxic in large doses[254 ]. Yohimbine has been shown to block the release of adrenalin and, in the correct dose, act as a sexual stimulant[238 ]. It is the source of the only clinically-proven cure for impotence and has long been used as a traditional stimulant in Africa[418 ]. Yohimbe is a bitter, warming, anti-diuretic, hypotensive and vasodilating herb with reputedly aphrodisiac effects[238 ]. It has a stimulant effect upon the heart, increasing heart rate and blood pressure; has a locally anaesthetic action similar to that of cocaine but without being mydriatic; is a mild stimulant that can help to prevent drowsiness; and is hallucinogenic. The vasodilating action of yohimbe is particularly strong on the sex organs, hence its aphrodisiac action[238 , 303 ]. The bark is taken internally, either as a powder or as a decoction. It is used particularly in the treatment of impotence, frigidity and angina[238 , 418 ]. It is also used as a performance enhancer for athletes, and as a remedy to increase the clarity of the voices of singers during long festivals[303 , 418 ]. The bark can be harvested at any time of the year[254 ]. The use of this herb is subject to legal restrictions in some countries[238 , 254 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fuel  Parasiticide  Tannin  Wood

Other Uses This species is closely related to Pausinystalia johimbe, and is said to have the same uses[303 ]. These are:- The bark is a source of tannins[418 ]. The inner bark is utilized as straps for panniers[303 ]. The tree produces very little sap-wood, the major fraction being an ocreous-yellow heart-wood[332 ]. The wood is flexible so iswidely used as a snare-trap mechanism, whilst the young poles are used for construction purposes in traditional buildings[303 ]. The wood is used as fuel[303 , 418 ].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

None known. Pausinystalia macroceras occurs in lowland evergreen forest, primary as well as secondary, and also in gallery forest.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed -

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

False johimbe

Native Range

AFRICA: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Angola (Cabinda)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pausinystalia johimbeYohimbeTree25.0 10-12 MMHSNM052

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(K.Schum.) Pierre

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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