Margaritaria discoidea (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa Introduction

List of species

General importance
Geographic coverage Africa
Geographic coverage World
Fruit
Carbohydrate / starch
Medicinal
Timber
Fuel
Ornamental
Forage / feed
Auxiliary plant
Fibre
Food security

Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) Webster

Protologue: Journ. Arn. Arb. 48: 311 (1967).

Family: Euphorbiaceae (APG: Phyllanthaceae)

Synonyms

Phyllanthus discoideus (Baill.) Müll.Arg. (1863).

Vernacular names

Common pheasant-berry, bushveld peacock-berry (En). Mjangari (Sw).

Origin and geographic distribution

Margaritaria discoidea is widespread, occurring from Senegal and Guinea east to Ethiopia and Kenya, and south to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, northern South Africa and Swaziland.

Uses

The wood of Margaritaria discoidea is locally used, mainly for poles, planks and shingles in house building, flooring, general carpentry, interior trim, toys and draining boards. It is suitable for boat building, cabinet making, carvings, turnery, veneer and plywood. It is also used as firewood and for charcoal production.

A vegetable salt is made from the wood ashes. In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, young shoots are used as chewing sticks. Several parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine across Africa. In West Africa the stringy and fibrous bark is commonly chewed as purgative and aphrodisiac, and for treating toothache and stomach-ache; bark powder is rubbed on the body to treat fever. In Central Africa bark decoctions are applied to the skin to serve as stimulant and tonic, and are taken to relief post-partum pains and to cure boils. In Malawi powdered bark is applied to swellings and inflammations, and a paste prepared from bark ash with local salt and palm oil is applied as a topical embrocation to relieve lumbar pain. In Tanzania root decoctions are taken to treat schistosomiasis, gonorrhoea, diarrhoea and hard abscesses, and in mixture with leaf sap to treat malaria. In DR Congo bark decoctions are used to relieve stomach and kidney problems and to facilitate parturition. In Sudan the plant is a source of cough medicine. The leaves are used for different medicinal purposes in the various regions; they are generally used for wound healing, to treat ulcers, earache and blennorrhoea, to counteract poisoning, and as an eye wash to treat ophthalmia. Margaritaria discoidea foliage serves as fodder for livestock, especially for cattle, but in Ghana it is also fed to goats in mixtures. In Cameroon the tree is planted in villages to provide shade. In Uganda it has also been planted as a second line of defense in fire-breaks.

Production and international trade

The wood of Margaritaria discoidea is mainly used locally. Quantities of timber traded in the international market under the trade names ‘adjansi’ and ‘mukarara’ are probably small, but trade statistics are not available.

Properties

The heartwood is pinkish white to brownish red, taking a purplish tinge with time, and distinctly demarcated from the pale brown to yellowish, 5–7.5 cm wide sapwood. The grain is straight or slightly interlocked, texture medium to fine. The wood is fairly lustrous, odourless and tasteless when dry.

The wood is heavy, with a density of 740–975 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content, hard and tough. The rates of shrinkage are quite high, from green to oven dry about 6.2% radial and 9.5% tangential. Once dry, the wood is unstable in service. It is advisable to quarter-saw the wood to avoid losses due to shrinkage. At 12% moisture content, the modulus of rupture is 175–210 N/mm², modulus of elasticity 14,000 N/mm², compression parallel to grain 83 N/mm², shear 5 N/mm², cleavage 26–29 N/mm, Janka side hardness 7550 N, Janka end hardness 8200 N and Chalais-Meudon side hardness 7.5.

The wood saws easily but slowly, works moderately well with both hand and machine tools, and can be planed to an excellent finish. It polishes well to a smooth surface. The nailing properties are good. The heartwood is fairly durable with an expected service life of 8–15 years. It is moderately resistant to fungal attack and resistant to termite and other insect attacks, but the sapwood may be susceptible to Lyctus attack.

An aqueous bark extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in rats, reducing significantly the formation of oedema induced by carrageenan and histamine. An ethanolic bark extract showed antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting the ethnomedicinal use of the bark in treating wounds and skin infections. Aqueous and hexane extracts of dry wood showed acaricidal activities, inducing high mortalities in nymphs and adults of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum. Several alkaloids have also been isolated from Margaritaria discoidea, including securinine and phylochrysine; the latter compound has stimulant activity on the central nervous system.

Description

Deciduous, dioecious shrub or small to medium-sized tree up to 30 m tall; bole branchless for up to 20(–26) m, usually straight, up to 100 cm in diameter, larger trees often with buttresses; bark surface becoming scaly or fissured and flaking in irregular strips, pale grey to brownish grey, inner bark thick, fibrous but brittle, pink to red with orange streaks; crown large, flattened or umbrella-shaped, with drooping branches; twigs hairy when young, but soon becoming glabrous, with lenticels. Leaves alternate, simple and entire; stipules lanceolate to oblong, up to 13 mm long, deciduous; petiole 1–5(–9) mm long; blade ovate-elliptical to obovate-lanceolate, 1–11 cm × 0.5–6 cm, rounded to cuneate at base, rounded to obtuse or acuminate at apex, papery, nearly glabrous, pinnately veined with 5–15 pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescence an axillary fascicle, male inflorescence in axils of fallen leaves of the previous year, many-flowered, female one in axils of young leaves, (1–)2–3-flowered. Flowers unisexual, regular, 4-merous, yellowish green, sepals unequal, (1–)2.5(–3) mm long, petals absent; male flowers with up to 7 mm long pedicel, 3–4 mm long stamens and shallowly lobed disk; female flowers with up to 2 cm long pedicel, more or less entire disk and superior, ellipsoid, nearly glabrous ovary c. 2 mm long, (2–)3(–4)-celled, stylar column up to 2 mm long, stylar arms (2–)3(–4), c. 2 mm long, each 2-lobed. Fruit a (2–)3(–4)-lobed capsule 5–7 mm × 10–13 mm, yellowish brown, with persistent sepals at base and the remains of the styles at apex, irregularly dehiscent, up to 6(–8)-seeded. Seeds hemispherical, c. 5 mm × 5 mm × 2.5 mm, seed coat fleshy, smooth, glossy metallic-blue or purplish blue, with a groove. Seedling with epigeal germination; hypocotyl 2–3 cm long, epicotyl 3–5 mm long; cotyledons leafy, c. 1.2 cm long, obtuse; first leaves alternate.

Other botanical information

Margaritaria comprises about 14 species and occurs throughout tropical Africa, Asia and America. In Margaritaria discoidea 4 varieties are distinguished with overlapping distribution areas and intermediate specimens. Apparently the tallest trees belong to var. fagifolia (Pax) Radcl.-Sm.; these are found in mixed evergreen forest at 900–1900 m altitude.

Anatomy

Wood-anatomical description (IAWA hardwood codes):

• Growth rings: 2: growth ring boundaries indistinct or absent.
• Vessels: 5: wood diffuse-porous; 13: simple perforation plates; 22: intervessel pits alternate; (23: shape of alternate pits polygonal); 26: intervessel pits medium (7–10 μm); 31: vessel-ray pits with much reduced borders to apparently simple: pits rounded or angular; (32: vessel-ray pits with much reduced borders to apparently simple: pits horizontal (scalariform, gash-like) to vertical (palisade)); 42: mean tangential diameter of vessel lumina 100–200 μm; 48: 20–40 vessels per square millimetre; 56: tyloses common.
• Tracheids and fibres: 61: fibres with simple to minutely bordered pits; 65: septate fibres present; 66: non-septate fibres present; 69: fibres thin- to thick-walled.
• Axial parenchyma: (75: axial parenchyma absent or extremely rare); 76: axial parenchyma diffuse; (78: axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal); 93: eight (5–8) cells per parenchyma strand; 94: over eight cells per parenchyma strand.
• Rays: (97: ray width 1–3 cells); 98: larger rays commonly 4- to 10-seriate; 102: ray height > 1 mm; 107: body ray cells procumbent with mostly 2–4 rows of upright and/or square marginal cells; 108: body ray cells procumbent with over 4 rows of upright and/or square marginal cells; 109: rays with procumbent, square and upright cells mixed throughout the ray; (112: perforated ray cells present); 115: 4–12 rays per mm.
• Mineral inclusions: 136: prismatic crystals present; 137: prismatic crystals in upright and/or square ray cells.

(P. Mugabi, P.E. Gasson & E.A. Wheeler)

Growth and development

In plantations in northern Côte d’Ivoire, planted cuttings reached a mean height of 3.2 m after 5.5 years, but some trees reached 4 m tall after 3 years. Margaritaria discoidea is considered a pioneer species and natural regeneration is most successful in disturbed habitats; saplings can be found in medium-large gaps in the forest. In dry areas branching of the tree tends to be lower down the stem than in wet areas. The tree loses its leaves for a long period. It flowers before and during developing a flush of leaves in the dry season. Generally the tree produces fruits during the rainy season. In Côte d’Ivoire trees flower in January–April and fruit in May–July. Bushbuck eat the fruits, but the fruits and seeds are mainly eaten by birds such as green pigeons, guinea-fowl and francolins, which may serve as seed dispersers.

Ecology

Margaritaria discoidea occurs mostly in savanna woodland, dry evergreen forest and drier secondary forest. It is also found in semi-deciduous forest. In Kenya it is found in forest edges from sea-level up to 2000 m altitude.

Propagation and planting

Unopened fruits can be collected from the mother tree; after crushing, seeds can be separated from the chaff. There are about 20,000 seeds per kg. Dried seeds can be stored in sealed containers for some time in a cool dry place. Seeds can be sown directly, but the germination rate is quite low and germination starts after 1–6 months. Pre-treatment of seeds by soaking in cold water for 12 hours hastens germination. Exposure to the sun is reported to stimulate germination. Margaritaria discoidea has also been propagated by planting wildlings and cuttings.

Management

Margaritaria discoidea can be coppiced, pollarded and pruned. Plantations can be found in Uganda, where it is also planted in a mixture with iroko (Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C.Berg).

Diseases and pests

Margaritaria discoidea is a host plant for Armillaria mellea, a fungal pathogen causing damage in a large number of fruit tree species, as well as in cocoa and banana.

Yield

A bole of 26 m long and 88 cm in diameter felled in DR Congo yielded 10 m³ of wood.

Handling after harvest

To avoid losses due to splitting, the logs have to be converted as soon as possible after felling.

Genetic resources

Margaritaria discoidea is widely distributed in tropical Africa and locally common, also in disturbed habitats, and is unlikely to suffer from genetic erosion.

Prospects

Margaritaria discoidea is a multipurpose tree which is locally valued, mainly for its timber and medicinal applications. The characteristics of the wood, which does not have a special attractive appearance, is heavy, liable to shrinkage during drying and not very easy to work, are too moderate to make it very interesting for the international market. Moreover, large trees are too uncommon in the forest to be of commercial interest. However, Margaritaria discoidea will remain important for local applications, particularly for construction because of its durability. The wide range of diseases treated with the bark demands further pharmacological research; preliminary results are promising. More research is also needed to establish its potential as a plantation species, especially in agroforestry systems.

Major references

• Arbonnier, M., 2004. Trees, shrubs and lianas of West African dry zones. CIRAD, Margraf Publishers Gmbh, MNHN, Paris, France. 573 pp.

• Bolza, E. & Keating, W.G., 1972. African timbers: the properties, uses and characteristics of 700 species. Division of Building Research, CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia. 710 pp.

• Burkill, H.M., 1994. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 2, Families E–I. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 636 pp.

• Irvine, F.R., 1961. Woody plants of Ghana, with special reference to their uses. Oxford University Press, London, United Kingdom. 868 pp.

• Katende, A.B., Birnie, A. & Tengnäs, B., 1995. Useful trees and shrubs for Uganda: identification, propagation and management for agricultural and pastoral communities. Technical Handbook 10. Regional Soil Conservation Unit, Nairobi, Kenya. 710 pp.

• Keay, R.W.J., 1989. Trees of Nigeria. A revised version of Nigerian trees (1960, 1964) by Keay, R.W.J., Onochie, C.F.A. & Stanfield, D.P. Clarendon Press, Oxford, United Kingdom. 476 pp.

• Maundu, P. & Tengnäs, B. (Editors), 2005. Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya. World Agroforestry Centre - East and Central Africa Regional Programme (ICRAF-ECA), Technical Handbook 35, Nairobi, Kenya. 484 pp.

• Mensah, J.L., Gleye, J., Moulis, C. & Fouraste, I., 1988. Alkaloids from the leaves of Phyllanthus discoideus. Journal of Natural Products 51(6): 1113-1115.

• Radcliffe-Smith, A., 1996. Euphorbiaceae, subfamilies Phyllantoideae, Oldfieldioideae, Acalyphoideae, Crotonoideae and Euphorbioideae, tribe Hippomaneae. In: Pope, G.V. (Editor). Flora Zambesiaca. Volume 9, part 4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. pp. 1–337.

• Savill, P.S. & Fox, J.E.D., 1967. Trees of Sierra Leone. Forest Department, Freetown, Sierra Leone. 316 pp.

Other references

• Adedapo, A.A., Sofidiya, M.O. & Afolayan, A.J., 2009. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the aqueous extracts of Margaritaria discoidea (Euphorbiaceae) stem bark in experimental animal models. Revista de Biologia Tropical 57(4): 1193-1200.

• Beentje, H.J., 1994. Kenya trees, shrubs and lianas. National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya. 722 pp.

• Coates Palgrave, K., 1983. Trees of southern Africa. 2nd Edition. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. 959 pp.

• Cooper, G.P. & Record, S.J., 1931. The evergreen forests of Liberia. School of Forestry, Yale University, Bulletin 31, New Haven, United States. 153 pp.

• Dale, I.R. & Greenway, P.J., 1961. Kenya trees and shrubs. Buchanan’s Kenya Estates Limited, Nairobi, Kenya. 654 pp.

• de la Mensbruge, G., 1966. La germination et les plantules des essences arborées de la forêt dense humide de la Côte d’Ivoire. Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Nogent-sur-Marne, France. 389 pp.

• Dickson, R.A., Fleischer, T.C., Ekuadzi, E., Mensah, A.Y., Annan, K. & Woode, E., 2010. Antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Margaritaria discoidea, a wound healing remedy from Ghana. Pharmacognosy Journal 2(17): 32-39.

• Duku, S., van der Zijpp, A. J., & Howard, P., 2010. Small ruminant feed systems: perceptions and practices in the transitional zone of Ghana. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 6(11): 19.

• Eggeling, W.J. & Dale, I.R., 1951. The indigenous trees of the Uganda Protectorate. Government Printer, Entebbe, Uganda. 491 pp.

• Fouarge, J. & Gérard, G., 1964. Bois du Mayumbe. Institut National pour l’Etude Agronomique du Congo (INEAC), Brussels, Belgium. 579 pp.

• Hawthorne, W.D., 1995. Ecological profiles of Ghanaian forest trees. Tropical Forestry Papers 29. Oxford Forestry Institute, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. 345 pp.

• Kaaya, G.P., Mwangi, E.N. & Malonza, M.M., 1995. Acaricidal activity of Margaritaria discoidea (Euphorbiaceae) plant extracts against the ticks Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum (Ixodidae). International Journal of Acarology 21(2): 123-129.

• Lovett, J.C. & Gereau, R.E., 1990. Notes on the floral morphology and ecology of Margaritaria discoidea (Euphorbiaceae) at Mufindi, Tanzania. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 77(1): 217-218.

• Radcliffe-Smith, A., 1981. Notes on African Euphorbiaceae: XI: Margaritaria discoidea: a re-appraisal. Kew Bulletin 36(2): 219–221.

• Radcliffe-Smith, A., 1987. Euphorbiaceae (part 1). In: Polhill, R.M. (Editor). Flora of Tropical East Africa. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands. 407 pp.

• Radcliffe-Smith, A., 1995. Additions and corrections to 'Euphorbiaceae' for 'Flora of Tropical East Africa'. Kew Bulletin 50(4): 809-816.

• Runyoro, D.K.B., Ngassapa, O.D., Matee, M.I.N., Joseph, C.C. & Moshi, M.J., 2006. Medicinal plants used by Tanzanian traditional healers in the management of Candida albicans infections. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 106: 158–165.

• Takahashi, A., 1978. Compilation of data on the mechanical properties of foreign woods (part 3) Africa. Shimane University, Matsue, Japan. 248 pp.

• Vivien, J. & Faure, J.J., 1985. Arbres des forêts denses d’Afrique Centrale. Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, Paris, France. 565 pp.

• Wilks, C. & Issembé, Y., 2000. Les arbres de la Guinée Equatoriale: Guide pratique d’identification: région continentale. Projet CUREF, Bata, Guinée Equatoriale. 546 pp.

Sources of illustration

• Dale, I.R. & Greenway, P.J., 1961. Kenya trees and shrubs. Buchanan’s Kenya Estates Limited, Nairobi, Kenya. 654 pp.

• Wilks, C. & Issembé, Y., 2000. Les arbres de la Guinée Equatoriale: Guide pratique d’identification: région continentale. Projet CUREF, Bata, Guinée Equatoriale. 546 pp.

Author(s)

• A. Addo-Danso, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG), University P.O. Box 63, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

Correct citation of this article

Addo-Danso, A., 2012. Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) G.L.Webster. In: Lemmens, R.H.M.J., Louppe, D. & Oteng-Amoako, A.A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>.

Accessed 22 April 2026.

• See the Prota4U database.