Griffonia
Griffonia simplicifolia

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

Griffonia simplicifolia is an evergreen shrub or large climbing plant that is hard-wooded and with short strong woody tendrils commonly found in west tropical Africa specifically in Liberia to Nigeria, Gabon, and Congo. It grows about 3 m in height. The leaves of this species are used in the production of palm wine while the sap from the stems can be drunk to quench thirst. Medicinally, the pulped bark can be applied to syphilitic sores. Leaf decoction is used for cough and is an aphrodisiac. The leaf sap is drunk for kidney problems or used as eye drops for inflamed eyes. Leaf paste, on the other hand, is applied to burns. Stem and leaf decoction are used in the treatment of constipation and wounds. Stems and stem bark are made into paste and used for decaying teeth. Powdered root extract is used in the treatment of sickle cell anemia. The seed is a commercial source of a serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) which increases the synthesis of serotonin in the central nervous system. It has been effective in treating a wide range of conditions like depression, fibromyalgia, obesity, insomnia, and chronic headache. Other uses include: use of leaves in chicken pens to kill lice, black dye fromm the leaves, stems for baskets and cages, etc. The wood is hard and fairly tough.

Griffonia simplicifolia is an evergreen Climber growing to 3 m (9ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Grass savannah; coastal plains on termite mounds; scrub thickets; climber in secondary and gallery forests.

West tropical Africa - Liberia to Nigeria, Gabon, Congo.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Central Africa, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Togo, West Africa,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The leaves are used in the production of palm wine, and give the wine a bitter taste. Sap that exudes from cut stems can be drunk to quench thirst. Use: The stems are baked and chewed.

Sap: usually of trees and usually but not always used as a drink.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 4

The pulped bark is applied to syphilitic sores. A leaf decoction is used as an emetic, cough medicine and aphrodisiac. The leaf sap and is drunk or applied as an enema to cure kidney problems. The leaf sap is used as eye drops to cure inflamed eyes. A paste made from the leaves is applied to burns. A decoction of stems and leaves is taken as a purgative to treat constipation and is used externally as an antiseptic wash to treat suppurating wounds. Chewing the stems is claimed to produce an aphrodisiac effect. Stems and stem bark are made into a paste that is applied to decaying teeth. The powdered twig bark, combined with lemon juice and Capsicum pepper, is applied to scarifications to treat intercostal pain. An extract from the powdered roots has been used to treat sickle cell anaemia. The seed is a commercial source of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a serotonin precursor. In humans, 5-HTP increases the synthesis of serotonin in the central nervous system and has been shown to be effective in treating a wide variety of conditions, including depression, fibromyalgia, obesity, chronic headaches and insomnia. The leaves contain a volatile oil and coumarins. The cyanoglucoside lithospermoside (= griffonin) has been isolated from the roots; it is the active ingredient against sickle-cell anaemia. Isolectin B4, isolated from Griffonia simplicifolia, is used as a marker of small primary sensory neurons in neurological research.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Other

Rating: 2

Other Uses: The leaves are put in chicken pens to kill lice. The roots are chewed and dried to produce a white powder that is used by women to powder their face. A black dye is obtained from the leaves. The stems are used to make baskets and cages. The stems are beaten into fibres that serve as chewing sponges, a popular means of tooth cleaning in Ghana. The stems and roots are used as chew-sticks to clean the teeth and maintain gum health and oral hygiene. The seeds contain the compound 5-HTP, which is poisonous to certain insects, i.e. bruchids (Callosobruchus maculatus). A number of lectins are found in the seeds. One of them is of the acetylglucosamine-group, which is commonly found in Poaceae and Solanaceae, but is rare in Fabaceae. Some lectins have insecticidal properties. The pods are made into toy whistles and spoons. The wood is hard and fairly tough. It can be bent and after crooking is used for making walking-sticks.

Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.

Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Insecticide: Kills insects.

Teeth: Plants used to clean and care for the teeth.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen. It is a tropical plant. It grows in the grass savannah in West Africa.

Propagating it: Seed - propagation by seed has given poor results and different seed treatments do not improve germination, although fungicide treatment of the seed appeared beneficial for establishment. In productivity trials, wildlings were successfully used as planting material; though this is impractical at a larger scale. Use of stem cuttings has not been successful.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Boogra, Borokotoa, Eggo, Kadia, atooto, gbogbotri, griffonia, kajya, kanya, kwakuo-aboto.,

Synonyms

Bandeiraea simplicifolia (Vahl ex DC.) Benth. Schotia simplicifolia Vahl ex DC.