Common Nigerian Trees and Their Botanical Names

In this post, we’ve compiled a list of trees commonly found in different parts of Nigeria along with their botanical names and uses.

  1. Mountain Fig

Botanical name

Ficus glumosa (Moraceae)

Uses

  • One of the beneficial parts of this tree is the root. The juice from this root can be used to treat cough and conditions like difficulty in breathing.
  • The bark can also be boiled and used to treat diarrhea.
  1. Bush Fig

Botanical name

Ficus sur (Moraceae)

Uses

  • The leaves are used as fodder for livestock
  • The roots can also be boiled with potash and used to treat intestinal worms
  1. Sycamore

Botanical name

Ficus sycamorus (Moraceae)

Uses

  • The leaves can be used to make traditional soups. They can also be used to treat jaundice
  • The fruits are also edible
  • The latex can be used in treating cough
  • The root can be used as a purgative
  1. Gmelina Tree

It is most common exotic tree in the country.

Botanical name

Gmelina arborea (Verbenaceae)

Uses

  • The leaves can be used as fodder to livestock
  • Gmelina can be used as a source of timber
  • The trees can also serve as windbreaks in windy areas
  • It can also be used for a wide variety of ailments such as diarrhoea, dysentery, food poisoning, menstrual pain, chicken pox and small pox.

 

  1. Jan Yaro (Fulafulfulde)

Botanical name

Hymenocardia acida (Hymenocardiaceae)

Uses

  • The root can be boiled and used as aphrodisiacs in men. It can also be used to give mental strength
  • The fresh bark can be used as poultice on abscesses and tumours
  • The ripe fruit has been known to cure deafness
  1. Mahogany

Botanical name

Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae)

Uses

  • The bark can be soaked in water and ingested to clear intestinal worms in both humans and animals
  • The pounded bark can also be used to treat bile disease in cattles
  • The oil from the seed can be used to treat arthritis and skin rashes.
  • Also, the decoction from the bark can be used to treat certain heart diseases
  • The latex from the bark can also be used to cure ear pain
  1. Bakin Faru

Botanical name (Family)

Lannea acida (Anacardiaceae)

Uses

  • The boiled bark can be used as a treatment for pile. Also the infusion from the bark can be used to treat stomach troubles
  • The root bark can be used to treat skin infection
  • The kernel of this tree can be used as purgative
  • The leaves can be used as an astringent and remedy for tooth ache
  1. Mango

Botanical name (Family)

Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae)

Uses

  • The fruit juice can be taken to treat jaundice
  • The boiled bark and leaves can be used to treat fever
  • The decoction from the fresh leaves can be used to treat diarrhoea
  1. Moringa (Zogale)

Botanical name (Family)

Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae)

Uses

  • The root is used in the treatment of epilepsy and convulsions
  • The seeds can also be used for water purification
  • The barks and leaves have antimicrobial properties
  • The leaf juice can be applied to the eyes to treat eye problems
  1. African Peach

Botanical name (Family)

Nauclea latifolia (Anacardiaceae)

Uses

  • The root can be boiled in potash to treat gonorrhea. It can also be used to treat stomach upset.
  • The boiled leaves can also be used as a purgative.
  1. Cashew

Botanical name (Family)

Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae)

Uses

  • The cashew nuts are edible

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