Plum tree african

The African plum tree, also known as Pygeum africanum, African cherry or African stinkwood, is a plant species that is widespread in African mountain forests. It is found there at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000 meters. The tree grows up to 30 m high and the trunk reaches a diameter of 1 meter. The flowers are white-greenish and the resulting fruit has a bitter taste. The heartwood and bark smell of bitter almond. For this reason, the wood is also known as "African stinkwood". However, this smell dissipates as the bark dries.

Prunus africana is the parent plant of Pruni africani cortex, the whole or cut, dried bark of the trunks and branches of the plant.

In cosmetics, extracts from the bark of the tree are used under the INCI designation"Prunus africana extract". The extract has a skin-protecting effect.

The dried bark and twigs are used phytotherapeutically: (African plum tree bark - Pruni africanae cortex).

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/plum-tree--african.php