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.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

 

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. Cashew

Botanical name (Family)

Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae)

Uses

• The cashew nuts are edible