Region: Africa, eastern
Madagascar.
Habitat: dry, deciduous forests, sandy soils; elevations up to 500 metres.
Content: alkaloids, 4,7-dimethoxy-1-vinyl-beta-carboline; dimeric alkaloid, kirondrin has been used to treat amoebiasis and is found to be cytotoxic; 4-substituted beta-carbolines inhibit Ca2+ influx and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and some are well suited for preventing and treating immune disorders. Use and production of 4-substituted beta-carbolines are patented.
Use: as a medicine; wood for light construction in house building.
BotanyTree; 20 to 30 metres tall.
Roots: toxic.
Stem: wood yellowish, with coarse texture, hard, light in weight.
Flowers: bisexual or male.
Fruits: toxic.