Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Gentianales
Genus:
Species:
thouarsii
ID:
334318

Status:
valid

Authors:
Roem. & Schult.

Source:
wcs

Year:
1819

Citation Micro:
Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 4: 439 (1819)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000333650

Common Names

  • Voacanga thouarsii
  • Thouarsii Voacanga
  • Thouarsii Tree

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Synonyms

  • Annularia natalensis Hochst. [unknown]
  • Orchipeda dregei (E.Mey.) DC. [unknown]
  • Orchipeda thouarsii (Roem. & Schult.) Baron [unknown]
  • Piptolaena dregei A.DC. [unknown]
  • Voacanga dregei E.Mey. [unknown]
  • Voacanga obtusa K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Voacanga thouarsii dregei (E.Mey.) Pichon [unknown]
  • Voacanga thouarsii obtusa (K.Schum.) Pichon [unknown]
  • Cyclostigma natalense Hochst. [unknown]
  • Tabernaemontana thouarsii (Roem. & Schult.) Palacky [unknown]
  • Orchipeda dregei (E.Mey.) Scott-Elliot [unknown]

Description

Voacanga thouarsii (also called African tree of life, among many other common names) is a species of tree native to tropical Africa. It is a medium-sized tree, growing up to 15 m tall with a trunk up to 50 cm in diameter. It is found in lowland rainforest and coastal areas.

Uses & Benefits

Voacanga thouarsii is used as an ornamental plant, as a source of timber and for its medicinal properties. It has been used to treat fever, malaria, and other ailments.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Voacanga thouarsii has small, white flowers and small, black seeds. The seedlings have dark green, oval-shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Voacanga thouarsii is a small evergreen tree or shrub, growing up to 4 m tall. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Propagation is best done by cuttings in spring or early summer. Take cuttings of around 10 cm long from the tips of the stems and remove the lower leaves. Plant the cuttings in a pot filled with a mixture of equal parts of peat and sand and keep them in a warm and humid environment.

Where to Find Voacanga thouarsii

Voacanga thouarsii can be found in tropical regions of Africa, including the Congo Basin and Madagascar.

Voacanga thouarsii FAQ

What is the scientific name of Voacanga thouarsii?

Voacanga thouarsii

What is the common name of Voacanga thouarsii?

African Coral Tree

What is the native range of Voacanga thouarsii?

West and Central Africa

Species in the Apocynaceae family

Acokanthera laevigata, Acokanthera oblongifolia, Acokanthera oppositifolia, Acokanthera rotundata, Acokanthera schimperi, Adenium boehmianum, Adenium multiflorum, Adenium obesum, Adenium oleifolium, Adenium swazicum, Adenium dhofarense, Aganosma breviloba, Aganosma cymosa, Aganosma gracilis, Aganosma lacei, Aganosma petelotii, Aganosma schlechteriana, Aganosma siamensis, Aganosma wallichii, Aganosma heynei, Alafia alba, Alafia barteri, Alafia benthamii, Alafia berrieri, Alafia calophylla, Alafia caudata, Alafia erythrophthalma, Alafia falcata, Alafia fuscata, Alafia insularis, Alafia intermedia, Alafia landolphioides, Alafia lucida, Alafia microstylis, Alafia multiflora, Alafia nigrescens, Alafia orientalis, Alafia parciflora, Alafia pauciflora, Alafia perrieri, Alafia schumannii, Alafia thouarsii, Alafia vallium, Alafia verschuereni, Alafia whytei, Alafia zambesiaca, Allamanda calcicola, Allamanda angustifolia, Allamanda blanchetii, Allamanda cathartica,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-213980: Based on the initial data import
Josef August Schultes (1773-1831): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Schult.' in the authors string.
Johann Jacob Roemer (1763-1819): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Roem.' in the authors string.