Aningeria adolfi-friederici is a species of plant in the family Sapotaceae, a tall, tropical forest tree. It is found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[3] The specific name adolfi-friedericii was given in honour of Duke Adolf Friedrich of Mecklenburg, a German explorer in Africa.[4][failed verification] Its trade name muna is taken from Gĩkũyũ mũna.[5][6]
| Aningeria adolfi-friederici | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Sapotaceae |
| Genus: | Aningeria |
| Species: | A. adolfi-friederici
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| Binomial name | |
| Aningeria adolfi-friederici | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description edit
Aningeria adolfi-friederici is a large forest tree growing to a height of up to 50 m (164 ft). It has a straight cylindrical trunk, without branches on its lower half, that can be up to 150 cm (5 ft) in diameter. The trunk is often fluted and may have large buttresses at its base.[7]
Ecology edit
Aningeria adolfi-friederici is a typical climax species of mature forest; it has a small crown which is higher than the surrounding canopy. It has large seeds which are viable for only a short time. They germinate freely, and the saplings are slow-growing but thrive in dense shade. It is plentiful in the understory layer but may be more scarce in the upper layers, particularly where the best trees in the forest have been selectively felled.[8] In Kenya, it grows in lowland and montane dry evergreen forest habitats in the company of Suregada procera and Afrocarpus gracilior.[9] It is a mycorrhizal species, the roots forming a symbiotic association with a fungus.[7]
Subspecies edit
Five subspecies are accepted:[2]
- Aningeria adolfi-friederici subsp. adolfi-friederici – southwestern Ethiopia to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Aningeria adolfi-friederici subsp. australis J.H.Hemsl. – Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
- Aningeria adolfi-friederici subsp. floccosa J.H.Hemsl. – northeastern Tanzania
- Aningeria adolfi-friederici subsp. keniensis (R.E.Fr.) J.H.Hemsl. – Kenya and northern Tanzania
- Aningeria adolfi-friederici subsp. usambarensis J.H.Hemsl. – northeastern Tanzania
Uses edit
The heartwood is greyish-brown, and not clearly distinguishable from the sapwood. The timber is not very durable and is susceptible to attack by termites, fungi and boring insects. It is used to make furniture, and is also used for light construction work, flooring, joinery, cabinet work, boats, boxes, crates, veneers and plywood. It makes good firewood and is used to make charcoal.[7]
The tree is used to provide shade in plantations, and can be pollarded and coppiced. The greenish flesh of the fruits can be eaten raw, and an edible oil can be extracted from the seeds. In traditional medicine, the tree's bark has been used to treat stomach problems and the fruit, to expel tape worms, but when used for this purpose it is rather slow-acting and moderately toxic.[7]
References edit
- ^ IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group & Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). 2020. Pouteria adolfi-friedericii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T153927609A153938726. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T153927609A153938726.en. Accessed 4 December 2022.
- ^ a b c Aningeria adolfi-friederici (Engl.) Robyns & Gilbert. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Pouteria adolfi-friedericii (Engl.) A.Meeuse". Catalogue of Life. ITIS. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
- ^ Proclamations, Rules and Regulations. Nairobi: The Government Printer. 1933. p. 7.
- ^ “mũna” in Benson, T.G. (1964). Kikuyu-English dictionary. Oxford: Clarendon Press, p. 277.
- ^ a b c d Fern, Ken (13 June 2019). "Pouteria adolfi-friedericii". Useful Tropical Plants. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ Schmitt, Christine B. (2006). Montane Rainforest with Wild Coffea Arabica in the Bonga Region (SW Ethiopia): Plant Diversity, Wild Coffee Management and Implications for Conservation. Cuvillier Verlag. pp. 123–125. ISBN 978-3-86727-043-4.
- ^ Lemmens, R.H.M.J.; Louppe, D.; Oteng-Amoako, A.A. Timbers 2. PROTA. p. 617. ISBN 978-92-9081-495-5.