Markhamia Lutea

Scientific Name: Markhamia lutea

Common Name: Large Leafed Cordia

Family: Bignoniaceae, native to eastern Africa and cultivated for its large bright yellow flowers. It is related to the African tulip tree.:

Names in other languages: Markhamia, siala (En). Mgambo, mtalawanda (Sw).

General Information

Markhamia lutea, the Nile tulip, Nile trumpet or siala tree is a tree species of the family Bignoniaceae, native to eastern Africa and cultivated for its large bright yellow flowers. It is related to the African tulip tree. Native to Africa, Markhamia was named in the honor of Clements Markham, who worked in India.

Features of Markhamia lutea that make it identifiable:

Bark is light brown with fine vertical fissures.

Leaves can grow very large, over 1 ft long.The tree has slender, crooked branches and a soft green crown, rough gray bark and odd-pinnate 2-4 pairs opposite leaf up to 18" long, asymmetric acuminate leaflets are medium, elliptic or ovate. It has 2–4 pairs of leaflets, the lowermost pair is the smallest and each pair increases in size towards the terminal leaflet.

Flowers are yellow, often with red veining or spots, or maroon, coming in panicles. Leaves can grow very large, over 1 ft long. and The Fruits are slender, bean-like capsules, over 1 ft long, spirally twisted, and dangle from the tree in late summer. Dark brown when mature, they split open lengthwise to release many flat, winged seeds. The papery, winged seeds are dispersed by wind.

Uses

The tree is considered to be an effective treatment for skin-affections, sores and itch

The leaves and bark are pounded up with citron juice to a paste, and the liquid is expressed for use as a lotion, while the residual lees may be used with vigorous rubbing

In the case of sores, the lees are applied as a wet dressing under a bandage.

The plant is also used as a rejuvenator and diuretic, and is given for oedema of the legs and elephantiasis of the scrotum, to treat chancres and rheumatic pain, and is taken for treatment of the respiratory tract and in swamp-fever

The leaves and bark are used as medicine for tooth-ache(as a gargle) and for convulsion in children. Roots are also used against venereal diseases and for preventing abortion