Diplorhynchus is a monotypic genus of plant in the family Apocynaceae native to tropical and southern Africa. As of August 2020, Plants of the World Online recognises the single species Diplorhynchus condylocarpon.[3]

Diplorhynchus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Rauvolfioideae
Tribe: Melodineae
Genus: Diplorhynchus
Welw. ex Ficalho & Hiern[3]
Species:
D. condylocarpon
Binomial name
Diplorhynchus condylocarpon
Synonyms[2]
  • Aspidosperma condylocarpon Müll.Arg.
  • Diplorhynchus angolensis Büttner
  • Diplorhynchus angustifolia Stapf
  • Diplorhynchus mossambicensis Benth.
  • Diplorhynchus poggei K.Schum
  • Diplorhynchus psilopus Welw. ex Ficalho & Hiern
  • Diplorhynchus welwitschii Rolfe
  • Neurolobium cymosum Baill.

Description

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Diplorhynchus condylocarpon grows as a shrub or small tree up to 20 metres (66 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 2 metres (7 ft). Its fragrant flowers feature a white to creamy corolla. Fruit is green or brown with paired follicles, each up to 6.5 centimetres (2.6 in) long.[4] Vernacular names for the plant include "horn-pod tree" and "wild rubber".[5] The species' local traditional medicinal uses include as a treatment for indigestion, diarrhoea, fever, snakebite, infertility, venereal disease, diabetes, pneumonia and tuberculosis.[4]

Distribution and habitat

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Diplorhynchus condylocarpon is native to an area from southern parts of the Republic of the Congo to the north of Namibia in the west and large parts of northern South Africa in the southeast.[1] Its habitat is dry woodland and hillsides from sea-level to 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) altitude.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Diplorhynchus condylocarpon". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T146222814A146222816. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T146222814A146222816.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Diplorhynchus condylocarpon". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Diplorhynchus". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Medicinal Plants. PROTA. 2008. pp. 229–230. ISBN 978-9-05782-204-9.
  5. ^ "Diplorhynchus condylocarpon". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
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