Terminalia brownii (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa Introduction

List of species

General importance
Geographic coverage Africa
Geographic coverage World
Fruit
Dye / tannin
Essential oil / exudate
Medicinal
Timber
Fuel
Ornamental
Forage / feed
Auxiliary plant
Fibre
Food security

Terminalia brownii Fresen.

File:Map Terminalia brownii.gif

distribution in Africa (wild)

File:Linedrawing Terminalia brownii.gif

1, tree habit; 2, flowering twig; 3, fruit. Redrawn and adapted by J.M. de Vries

Protologue: Mus. Senckenberg. 2: 152 (1837).

Family: Combretaceae

Vernacular names

• Red pod terminalia (En).
• Mbarao, mwalambe (Sw).

Origin and geographic distribution

Terminalia brownii is widely distributed from northern Nigeria eastward to Somalia and southward to eastern DR Congo and northern Tanzania. It also occurs in Yemen.

Uses

Terminalia brownii is widely used in African traditional medicine. Infusions of the wood are taken to treat cough, and bark decoctions to treat jaundice, malaria, tuberculosis, epilepsy, urino-genital problems, syphilis and gonorrhoea, and as anthelmintic. Stem and bark decoctions are taken against body swellings. Bast fibres are chewed for the treatment of yellow fever. Leaves are administered to treat stomach complaints, colic, diarrhoea, eye infections, fungal infections and ringworm, and as abortifacient. Roots are used against allergic reactions. In veterinary medicine, leaves are given to livestock to treat diarrhoea and leaf extracts are applied for the treatment of conjunctivitis. Pastoral communities in Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania use leaf and bark decoctions to treat worms and babesiosis in cattle and goats.

The wood is used for construction in house building, and for joinery, furniture, fence posts, canoes, utensils, tool handles, carvings, beehives and sticks. It is also used as firewood and for charcoal production. The smoke of burning wood and bark is used as a perfume for hair and body. The bark is used for tanning hides. The fruits are edible, although they are bitter. The leaves are commonly browsed by livestock and the tree is planted for soil improvement producing good mulch, as shade tree for crops and livestock, and occasionally as an ornamental tree.

Production and international trade

The bark, roots and seeds are locally sold in markets for medicinal purposes. In Kenya seeds are sold for about US$ 30 per kg.

Properties

Terminalia brownii bark and leaves contain saponins, including bidesmoside oleanane-type triterpenoids. A chromone derivative named terminalianone was isolated from the plant. Bark and fruits were found to contain about 19% tannin. Bark extracts showed moderate ascaricidal activity. It has been recommended to administer extracts of Terminalia brownii for only shorter periods of time to livestock to avoid decreased nutrient utilization due to the presence of tannins. Bark extracts showed antibacterial activity against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi and Bacillus anthracis and antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Aqueous extracts exhibited the highest activity against both bacteria and fungi. These findings support the use in traditional medicine against complaints such as diarrhoea and sexually transmitted diseases. The bark extracts exhibited relatively mild cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp larvae, but wood extracts were more toxic.

The wood is yellowish brown and moderately heavy, with a density of about 800 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content. It air dries well with little degrade. It is strong, fairly hard, easy to saw and work, and durable, being quite resistant to fungi, boring insects and termites. The roots produce a yellow dye.

In-vitro dry matter digestibility of Terminalia brownii leaves was 40%.

Adulterations and substitutes

Other Terminalia species are often used for similar medicinal purposes and it is difficult to differentiate between the dried stem barks from different species found in the local markets.

Description

Deciduous shrub or small tree up to 15 m tall; bole often low-branching; bark surface fissured, grey, inner bark thick, fibrous, dull red-brown; crown umbrella-shaped, with spreading branches; twigs initially hairy, becoming glabrous. Leaves arranged spirally, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole 0.5–3.5(–4) cm long; blade elliptical to obovate, 7–16 cm × 2.5–10 cm, base rounded to cuneate, apex obtuse to acute, sometimes slightly acuminate, papery or thin-leathery, glabrous or hairy beneath, pinnately veined with 7–11 pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescence an axillary spike 5–12(–14) cm long, short-hairy. Flowers bisexual or male, regular, 5-merous, 4–7 mm in diameter, whitish or creamy, scented; calyx with glabrous tube and 5 lobes; corolla absent; stamens 10, exserted; ovary inferior, 1-celled. Fruit an ellipsoid winged nut 2.5–6 cm × 1.5–3.5 cm including the large wing, glabrous, reddish purple, indehiscent, 1-seeded.

Other botanical information

Terminalia is a pantropical genus of about 200 species. In tropical mainland Africa about 30 species occur naturally, in Madagascar about 35.

Terminalia kilimandscharica

Terminalia kilimandscharica Engl. resembles Terminalia brownii, but differs in its hairy flowers and slightly hairy fruit. It is a small tree up to 10(–15) m tall restricted to southern Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania. Bark and root decoctions are taken to treat cough, asthma, colds and cancer, and as anodyne. Bark extracts showed marked antibacterial activity and leaf extracts molluscicidal activity. The yellowish to greenish brown, fairly heavy wood is used for construction, flooring, joinery, furniture and carvings.

Growth and development

Flowering of trees is often in the second half of the dry season, often just after the development of new foliage. The flowers are pollinated by insects. Ripe fruits develop 5–6 months after flowering.

Ecology

Terminalia brownii is widespread in semi-arid areas in deciduous woodland and bushy grassland up to 2000 m altitude. The mean annual rainfall in its area of distribution is 500–1300 mm. It often occurs on rocky outcrops, and near rivers in dry areas, and prefers deep, sandy soils, but it is also widespread on well-drained loamy soils.

Propagation and planting

There are about 3000 seeds per kg. Drying of the fruits to 10–12% is recommended before storage and sowing. Their viability may be maintained for several years in hermetic storage at 3°C. Under favourable conditions, fresh or pre-treated seeds germinate with about 30% success within 60–90 days. However, tests in Sudan showed that Terminalia brownii seeds are often not viable and that they needed an after-ripening period of 18 months to break their dormancy. Soaking in sulfuric acid for 60 minutes gave a germination rate of 25%, and V-shaped nipping at the end of the seed where the radicle is located 55%. After sowing, fruits should be covered with 1 cm of soil or sand. Terminalia brownii can be propagated by stem cuttings, but in experiments the rooting success was low, 10–15%. Sometimes wildlings are collected for planting. Transplanted seedlings in semi-arid sites need initial irrigation to reach fair establishment rates.

Management

The trees can be coppiced, lopped and pollarded.

Diseases and pests

Seeds are susceptible to attack by various insects.

Genetic resources

In general, Terminalia brownii is widespread and common, but it is irregularly distributed. In Sudan it is listed among endangered species due to overexploitation.

Prospects

Terminalia brownii has a wide range of medicinal uses in African traditional medicine, some of which have been confirmed in pharmacological research. However, more research is needed to isolate and evaluate the bioactive constituents. The development of techniques for sustainable harvesting are needed because mainly bark and wood are used in traditional medicine, which may easily harm the tree. Terminalia brownii is useful for planting in agroforestry systems, providing shade, good-quality mulch, forage, wood and tanning material, and should be highly valued as multi-purpose tree for semi-arid regions.

Major references

• Arbonnier, M., 2004. Trees, shrubs and lianas of West African dry zones. CIRAD, Margraf Publishers Gmbh, MNHN, Paris, France. 573 pp.
• Bekele-Tesemma, A., 2007. Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia: identification, propagation and management for 17 agroclimatic zones. Technical Manual No 6. RELMA in ICRAF Project, Nairobi, Kenya. 552 pp.
• Chikamai, B.N., Githiomi, J.K., Gachathi, F.N. & Njenga, M.G., undated. Commercial timber resources of Kenya. Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), Nairobi, Kenya. 164 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.
• Kitalyi, A., Musili, A., Suazo, J. & Ogutu, F., 2002. Enclosures to protect and preserve: For better livelihood of the West Pokot community. Technical Pamphlet No 2. Regional Land Management Unit, Nairobi, Kenya. 24 + 6 pp.
• Liben, L., 1968. Combretaceae. In: Flore du Congo, du Ruanda et du Burundi. Spermatophytes. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Brussels, Belgium. 109 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.
• Thulin, M., 1993. Combretaceae. In: Thulin, M. (Editor). Flora of Somalia. Volume 1. Pteridophyta; Gymnospermae; Angiospermae (Annonaceae-Fabaceae). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. pp. 247–254.
• Wickens, G.E., 1973. Combretaceae. In: Polhill, R.M. (Editor). Flora of Tropical East Africa. Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations, London, United Kingdom. 99 pp.
• World Agroforestry Centre, undated. Agroforestree Database. [Internet] World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya. http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/ resources/databases/ agroforestree. Accessed August 2012.

Other references

• Allen, D.J., 2007. A traveler's guide to the wildflowers and common trees of East Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. 248 pp.
• Burkill, H.M., 1985. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 1, Families A–D. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 960 pp.
• Emaruk, E. & Deogracious, O., 2006. Ascaricidal activity of some medicinal plants used by the Karimojong: a nomadic pastoralist community in Uganda. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 5(9): 724–728.
• Heine, B. & Heine, I., 1988. Plant concepts and plant use; an ethnobotanical survey of the semi-arid and arid lands of East Africa. Part 1. Plants of the Chamus (Kenya). Cologne Development Studies 6. Breitenbach, Saarbrücken, Germany. 103 pp.
• Jansen, P.C.M., 1981. Spices, condiments and medicinal plants in Ethiopia, their taxonomy and agricultural significance. Agricultural Research Reports 906. Centre for Agricultural Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen, Netherlands. 327 pp.
• Kareru, P.G., Gachanja, A.N., Keriko, J.M. & Kenji, G.M., 2008. Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants used by herbalists in Eastern Province, Kenya. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines5(1): 51–55.
• Kareru, P.G., Kenji, G.M., Gachanja, A.N., Keriko, J.M. & Mungai, G., 2007. Traditional medicines among the Embu and Mbeere peoples of Kenya. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines 4(1): 75–86.
• Kareru, P.G., Keriko, J.M., Gachanja, A.N. & Kenji, G.M., 2008. Direct detection of triterpenoid saponins in medicinal plants. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines 5(1): 56–60.
• Kiambi, D., 1999. Assessment of the status of agrobiodiversity in Djibouti: a contribution to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Draft report. IPGRI, Nairobi, Kenya. 61 pp.
• Kitalyi, A., Musili, A., Suazo, J. & Ogutu, F., 2002. Enclosures to protect and preserve: For better livelihood of the West Pokot community. Technical Pamphlet No 2. Regional Land Management Unit, Nairobi, Kenya. 24 + 6 pp.
• Kokwaro, J.O., 1993. Medicinal plants of East Africa. 2nd Edition. Kenya Literature Bureau, Nairobi, Kenya. 401 pp.
• Mbwambo, Z.H., Moshi, M.J., Masimba, P.J., Kapingu, M.C. & Nondo, R.S.O, 2007. Antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of extracts of Terminalia brownii roots and stem. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 7. 9 pp.
• Negishi, H., Maoka, T, Njelekela, M., Yasui, N., Juman, S., Mtabaji, J., Miki, T., Nara, Y., Yamori, Y. & Ikeda, K., 2011. New chromone derivative terminalianone from African plant Terminalia brownii Fresen (Combretaceae) in Tanzania. Journal of Asian Natural Products Research 13(3): 281–283.
• Neuwinger, H.D., 2000. African traditional medicine: a dictionary of plant use and applications. Medpharm Scientific, Stuttgart, Germany. 589 pp.
• Noad, T. & Birnie, A., 1989. Trees of Kenya. A fully illustrated field guide. Nairobi, Kenya. 281 pp.
• Sommerlatte, H. & Sommerlatte, M., 1990. A field guide to the trees and shrubs of the Imatong Mountains, southern Sudan. Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammmenarbeit (GTZ), Nairobi, Kenya. 372 pp.
• Specht, C.E. & Schaefer, C., 1990. Interim recommendations for the presowing treatments of Terminalia brownii and Terminalia spinosa. Technical Note, Kenya Forestry Research Institute No 9. 17 pp.
• Teel, W., 1984. A pocket directory of trees and seeds in Kenya. Kenya Energy Non-Governmental Organisations, Nairobi, Kenya. 151 pp.
• Vollesen, K., 1995. Combretaceae. In: Edwards, S., Mesfin Tadesse & Hedberg, I. (Editors). Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Volume 2, part 2. Canellaceae to Euphorbiaceae. The National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. pp. 115–132.
• Wondimu, T., Asfaw, Z. & Kelbessa, E., 2007. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants around ‘Dheeraa’ town, Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 112: 152–161.

Sources of illustration

• Teel, W., 1984. A pocket directory of trees and seeds in Kenya. Kenya Energy Non-Governmental Organisations, Nairobi, Kenya. 151 pp.
• Thulin, M., 1993. Combretaceae. In: Thulin, M. (Editor). Flora of Somalia. Volume 1. Pteridophyta; Gymnospermae; Angiospermae (Annonaceae-Fabaceae). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. pp. 247–254.

Author(s)

• D.M. Mosango, c/o Laboratory of Natural Sciences, Lycée Français Jean Monnet de Bruxelles (LFB), Avenue du Lycée Français 9, 1180 Brussels, Belgium

Correct citation of this article

Mosango, D.M., 2013. Terminalia brownii Fresen. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). Prota 11(2): Medicinal plants/Plantes médicinales 2. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. Accessed 17 September 2026.

• See this page on the Prota4U database.