Carpolobia lutea

{{Speciesbox

|image=

|status = LC

|status_system = IUCN3.1

|status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) |author2=IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group |year=2018 |title=Carpolobia lutea |page=e.T136101986A136110720 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T136101986A136110720.en}}

|genus = Carpolobia

|species = lutea

|authority = G.Don

|synonyms_ref = {{r|potw}}

|synonyms = Carpolobia caudata {{small|Burtt Davy}}

}}

Carpolobia lutea is a plant species in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae). It is native to rainforests and the banks of streams with altitudes below {{cvt|400|m|ft}} in coastal areas of West Africa.{{cite web |title=Carpolobia lutea G.Don |url=http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/details.php?langue=an&id=115839 |website=www.ville-ge.ch |publisher=Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques Ville de Geneve |accessdate=July 1, 2020}}{{cite taxon |POWO |title=Carpolobia lutea G.Don |id=690168-1 |access-date=July 1, 2020}} C. lutea was first formally named by George Don in 1831.{{cite taxon |IPNI |title=Carpolobia lutea G.Don |id=690168-1 |access-date=July 1, 2020}} According to the IUCN Red List, its population is stable and its conservation status is categorized as "least concern".

Description

Carpolobia lutea is a shrub or small tree which can have a height of up to {{cvt|15|ft|m}}.The petals of the plant's flowers are initially white with purple markings at the base of the upper petals before turning yellowish orange. It also produces fruits which are orange when ripe. It closely resembles C. alba.{{cite book |last1=Oliver |first1=Daniel |title=Flora of tropical Africa |date=1868 |publisher=L. Reeve and co. |page=136 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/347825#page/191/mode/1up |accessdate=July 2, 2020}}

Uses

It is used by the local people as a stomach medicine, to cure bone fractures, and to boost male sexual performance.{{cite journal |last1=Nwidu |first1=Lucky Lebgosi |last2=Nwafor |first2=Paul Alozie |last3=Vilegas |first3=Wagner |title=The aphrodisiac herb Carpolobia: A biopharmacological and phytochemical review |journal=Pharmacognosy Reviews |date=2015 |volume=9 |issue=18 |pages=132–139 |doi=10.4103/0973-7847.162128 |pmid=26392711 |pmc=4557236 |issn=0973-7847 |doi-access=free }} Some of its extracts were found to be effective against some bacterial and fungal strains.{{cite journal |last1=Nwidu |first1=Lucky L |last2=Nwafor |first2=Paul A |last3=Vilegas |first3=Wagner |title=Antimicrobial Activity of Carpolobia Lutea Extracts and Fractions |journal=African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines |date=April 2, 2012 |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=323–328 |doi=10.4314/ajtcam.v9i3.4 |pmid=23983362 |pmc=3746663 |issn=0189-6016}} Its leaves are cultivated to be eaten as vegetables and the fruits are also eaten.{{cite web |title=Carpolobia lutea G. Don |url=http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/apex/f?p=185:46:15564083299177::NO::module,mf_use,source,akzanz,rehm,akzname,taxid:mf,,botnam,0,,Carpolobia%20lutea,8142 |website=mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de |publisher=Lebiniz Institute |accessdate=July 1, 2020}}

References

Category:Polygalaceae