View source for Xylopia aethiopica

{{SPlantbox
|Min ht metric=cm
|Temp Metric=°F
|image=Upload.png
|image_width=240
}}
{{Inc|
Xylopia aethiopica, A. Rich. (Unona aethiopica, Dunal. Habzelia aethiopica, A. DC.). Guinea Pepper. Negro Pepper. Habb Selim. Grains Of Selim. Akola. Bikue. A leafy tree of moderate height: lvs. coriaceous, glabrous and glossy above, finely appressed pilose beneath, oblong-elliptic or oblong, obtuse or narrowed at the base and more or less acuminate at the apex: fls. solitary or in clusters of several, short-pedicelled; calyx with the segms. broadly triangular and acute; petals on the outside fulvo-sericeous, linear, subconcave at the dilated base, the outer ones with thick margins, the inner ones narrower, triquetrous; stamens with the dilated connective puberulous, outer circle of stamens sterile, a little broader than the fertile ones; carpels numerous; ovules 6-8 in a single series; mature carpels subsessile, slender, cylindrical, somewhat incurved, about 2 in. long, slightly constricted between the seeds, glabrous, vermilion-colored within; seeds 6-8, of medium size, ellipsoid, about 1/5 in. long and half as thick.—This species is endemic in W. Afr. where its fr. is used as a substitute for pepper. It was known to old authors under the name Piper aethiopicum. Closely allied to this species and similarly used are X. niamniamensis of Cent. Afr., formerly brought by caravan across the Sahara to the shores of the Medit., and X. Eminii, Engler, of the Uganda. So precious are these spices held, not only for seasoning food but for use as carminatives and stomachics, that in certain districts of Afr. they are circulated as money.
}}