Plum tree african

The African plum tree, also called Pygeum africanum, African cherry or African stinkwood, is a widespread plant species in African mountain forests. There it occurs at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000 metres. The tree grows up to 30 m high, the trunk reaches a diameter of 1 meter. The flowers are whitish-greenish, the resulting fruits have a bitter taste. The heartwood and the bark smell of bitter almond. For this reason the wood is also called "African stinkwood". However, this smell dissipates as the bark subsequently dries.

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

Phytotherapeutically, the dried bark and twigs are used: (African plum tree bark - Pruni africanae cortex).

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