SafePlants

Allophylus

Allophylus is a genus within the plant family Sapindaceae. It is a tropical and subtropical genus of shrubs and trees.

Considerations for Pets

• Some species of Allophylus produce fruits (e.g., Allophylus cobbe) that may attract animals.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Allophylus
• Family: Sapindaceae (also known as the Soapberry family)
• Synonyms: Allophylus occidentalis (Sw.) Radlk. (for Allophylus racemosus)
• There are approximately 200 species within the genus Allophylus, although the exact number recognized by botanists varies.

Common Names

• Titberry (for Allophylus cobbe)
• African Falsecurrant, Black Bastard Currant, Black False Currant, Black (for Allophylus africanus var. africanus)
• Chal-chal (for Allophylus edulis in Brazil)
• Indian Allophylus

• Other Languages
• Nger (Guam) for Allophylus timorensis

• Lichi manbi (Manipuri)
• Theepani, thivana (Marathi)
• sirusalle, perrakudikai (Tamil)
• molago-maram (Malayalam)

Distribution and Habitat

• The genus Allophylus is found in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Specific locations mentioned include:
  • Sri Lanka (Allophylus zeylanicus is endemic)
  • Africa (e.g., Sudan, Ethiopia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique for Allophylus abyssinicus; Liberia for Allophylus africanus)
  • Rio de Janeiro (Allophylus exappendiculatus)
  • Guam (Allophylus timorensis along rocky coastal areas)
  • Java (Allophylus timorensis and Allophylus racemosus)
  • Brasil (Allophylus edulis)

Morphological Characteristics

• Some species are shrubs or small trees (e.g., Allophylus dregeanus grows up to 6 m tall) with straight stems and grey bark.
• Leaves can be trifoliolate, ternately, spirally arranged, or rarely unifoliolate. Leaflets can be obovate with dentate, serrate, or almost entire margins.
• Flowers are small, white, and racemose, often tetramerous.
• The fruit of Allophylus cobbe is described as edible.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Methanol, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts of the whole plant of Allophylus cobbe L. were evaluated for antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.
• Differential Deterrent Activity of Natural Products Isolated from Allophylus edulis (Sapindaceae).

Ecological Role

• Allophylus species are part of various ecosystems, including forests and coastal areas.

Traditional Uses

• The wood of Allophylus abyssinicus is used.
• Allophylus serratus is known to possess various therapeutic properties and its anti-ulcerogenic property is being evaluated.

Resources and Further Information

• ARKive (for photos and facts)
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Herbarium Collection)
• Wikispecies (for taxonomic information)
• Wikimedia Commons (for multimedia)
• IUCN Red List (for conservation status - e.g., Allophylus zimmermannianus, Allophylus dodsonii)