Xylopia aethiopica

taxobox

---

image_caption = Ethiopian-pepper
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Magnoliids
ordo = Magnoliales
familia = Annonaceae
genus = "Xylopia"
species = "X. aethiopica"
binomial = "Xylopia aethiopica"
binomial_authority = (Dunal) A. Rich.cite web
url = http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?101925
title = Taxon: "Xylopia aethiopica" (Dunal) A. Rich.
accessdate = 2008-04-19
author = Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
authorlink = Germplasm Resources Information Network
date = 1985-11-07
format = HTML
work = Taxonomy for Plants
publisher = USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland ] |

"Xylopia aethiopica" is an evergreen, aromatic tree, growing up to 20m high. It is a native to the lowland rainforest and moist fringe forests in the savanna zones of Africa.

The dried fruits of "X. aethiopica" (Grains of Selim) are used as a spice and a traditional medicine.

Etymology

"Xylopia" is a compression from Greek "ξυλον πικρον" ("xylon pikron") meaning "bitter wood", "aethiopica" refers to the origin of the tree, though currently most of it grows in Ghana.

References

*"CRC Handbook of African Medicinal Plants", by Maurice M. Iwu, CRC-Press. ISBN 0-8493-4266-X
* Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages [http://www.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/Xylo_aet.html] (accessed October 26 2005)

ee also

*Grains of Selim