Kingdom Plantae Family Olacaceae Scientific name Ximenia americana Rank Species | Order Santalales Genus Ximenia Higher classification Ximenia | |
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Similar Water, Sugar, Desert date, Dobera glabra, Marula | ||
Asma ximenia americana as 42
Ximenia americana, commonly known as tallow wood, yellow plum or sea lemon, is a small sprawling tree of woodlands native to the tropics.
Contents
Leaves are oval shaped, bright green and have a strong smell of almonds. Flowers are pale in color. Fruits are lemon-yellow or orange-red.
As food
The fruits have a pleasant plum-like flavor. In Asia, the young leaves are cooked as a vegetable. However, the leaves also contain cyanide and need to be thoroughly cooked, and should not be eaten in large amounts.
In medicine
Ximenia americana was investigated by researchers from Nigeria's Ahmadu Bello University. In animal tests, it is showed some effect against the parasite that causes sleeping sickness and severe anaemia in livestock in many parts of Africa. The leaf extract is active against Escherischia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, and general glycosides were found in the extract. Indigenous people of Florida used the bark to treat sore muscles and gums.
The root also contains the fatty acids tariric acid and 10Z,14E,16E-octadeca-10,14,16-triene-12-ynoic acid.
