SafePlants

Daniellia

Daniellia is a genus of legume belonging to the Fabaceae family. The genus is named in honor of William Freeman Daniell.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that Daniellia species are harvested from the wild for various uses, including timber and gum. While not directly indicating toxicity, the presence of gums or resins might be a consideration for pets that tend to chew on plant matter.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) - Caesalpinioideae
• Genus: Daniellia Benn.

Species

• Accepted species number approximately 8 out of 17 named species.
• Includes: Daniellia alsteeniana, Daniellia klainei, Daniellia ogea, Daniellia oliveri

Daniellia oliveri

• Scientific Name: Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. &amp Dalziel
• Synonyms: Faro
• Common Names: African copaiba balsam, West African copal, Ilorin balsam, African Copaiba Balsam tree.

Distribution and Habitat

• Daniellia species are restricted to tropical and subtropical Africa.
• Daniellia alsteeniana is found in the woodlands and dry forests of northeastern Angola.
• Daniellia klainei is found in Cameroon and Gabon.
• Daniellia oliveri is a common plant in Africa.

Ecological Role

• Daniellia oliveri is an indigenous tree harvested as firewood by local people from savannas.

Morphological Characteristics and Uses

• Daniellia oliveri is a medium to large tree with multiple coppicing.
• Daniellia species are harvested for their timber, gum, and medicinal properties.
• The wood (traded as &#39West African gum copal&#39 and &#39daniellia&#39) is used for light flooring, joinery, interior trim, furniture, boat building, toys, novelties, and cattle-troughs.
• The leaves of Daniellia oliveri are traditionally prescribed in northern Nigeria for gastrointestinal complaints and are used in Hausa ethnomedicine for diarrhea treatment.
• In natural perfumery, it is used in amber bases, precious woods bouquets, sacred perfumes, incense notes, and as a general fixative.
• Edible leaves.

Quirky Facts

• Daniellia alsteeniana is described as one of the most charismatic and conspicuous trees in the woodlands and dry forests of northeastern Angola.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of leaves of Daniellia oliveri from Senegal and Ivory Coast have been analyzed by GC.
• Extracts of Daniellia oliveri stem bark have been tested for analgesic and antipyretic properties.
• Daniellia oliveri and Capsicum frutescens extracts have been tested to inhibit cell growth in cancer studies.

Further Information

• The Plant List includes 17 scientific plant names for the genus Daniellia.
• Information can be found on the Faro (Daniellia oliveri) page.
• World Agroforestry Centre.