Trachyphrynium braunianum

The food wrapper plant or wrapping leaf plant (Trachyphrynium braunianum (K. Schum.) Baker, 1898) is a rhizomatous species belonging to the Marantaceae family.

Systematics –
Domain Eukaryota,
Kingdom Plantae,
Division Magnoliophyta,
Class Liliopsida,
Subclass Zingiberidae,
Order Zingiberales,
Family Marantaceae,
Genus Trachyphrynium,
Species T. braunianum.
Synonyms include:
– Bamburanta arnoldiana L. Linden (1900);
– Hybophrynium braunianum K. Schum. (1892);

Etymology –
The term Trachyphrynium is a combination of the Greek adjective “τραχύς” (trachys), meaning rough, coarse, and of the genus Phrynium, referring to the similarity between the two genera and to the fruits densely covered with pointed protrusions.
The specific epithet braunianum is dedicated to the German botanist and collector Johannes M. Braun (1859-93).

Geographical Distribution and Habitat –
Trachyphrynium braunianum is a plant native to tropical Africa (Benin, Cabinda, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, the Gulf of Guinea Islands, Liberia, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Uganda).
In these areas its habitat is both rainforest and open spaces, often in marshy areas and along the banks of waterways, from sea level up to about 1200 m above sea level.

Description –
Trachyphrynium braunianum is a perennial, evergreen rhizomatous plant that forms rather untidy clumps with subwoody stems, up to over 4 m tall, branched at the top with long, thin branches.
The leaves are almost distichous, with a short petiole and a base sheathing the stem. The oblong-elliptical blade has a pointed tip and an entire margin, slightly asymmetrical with respect to the midrib. They are 6-25 cm long and 3-8 cm wide, deep green in color and glossy on the upper side.
Note the split at the base of the petiole. When the leaf is dry, it falls off at that point. This is quite rare within the Marantaceae family and is important for identifying certain genera and species.
The inflorescences are terminal, simple or sometimes branched at the base, about 20 cm long, with a pubescent rachis and nodes, about 6 mm apart, bearing an oblong-lanceolate, deciduous bract, 2-2.5 cm long, which subtends a pair of hermaphroditic white or pinkish-white flowers, 2.5-3 cm long and 2 cm in diameter.
The calyx has three free, lanceolate sepals with a pointed tip, pubescent, about 1.2 cm long, a tubular corolla with three linear-lanceolate lobes, stamen and staminodes arranged in two whorls fused at the base to the corolla tube, the outer one with two obovate, membranous, petaloid staminodes, about 2.5 cm long, and the inner one with stamen and two petaloid staminodes; the ovary is inferior and trilocular.
The fruit is a subglobose to trilobed capsule, 1.2-1.5 cm in diameter, densely covered with short, pointed tubercles, orange-yellow when ripe, containing one to three globose seeds, approximately 0.6 cm in diameter, shiny blackish-brown in color, with a white aril at the base.

Cultivation –
Trachyphrynium braunianum is a widespread plant that plays an important role in rural communities in its native region, but is virtually unknown elsewhere, found only in a few botanical gardens. Its cultivation is limited to humid tropical and subtropical climates, in full sun or partial shade, and with ample water availability.
The plant prefers bright, indirect light, but direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can burn the leaves.
The optimal temperature is 18-28°C, and it does not tolerate temperatures below 15°C.
It prefers high humidity (over 60%).
Watering should be regular and abundant during the growing season (spring-summer).
The substrate should always be slightly moist but not soaked.
In winter, reduce watering, while still avoiding drying out.
If grown indoors, it is very important to spray frequently or use a humidifier.
It is an excellent plant in terrariums or humid greenhouses.
The soil should be rich, light, and well-drained.
It propagates by seed, but can also be easily propagated by division of the rhizomes.

Uses and Traditions –
Trachyphrynium braunianum is a little-known plant outside its native range, so much so that its common names are specific to these areas; among them are: mbonge, ndikasende (baka); dâànzi (bafia); dusèseri (balumbu); dingomboko (béséki); bîrîn (gbaya); akukwa (ibo); akparakitiyai (izon); botukunkombe (mbole); mpunge (mpiemo); ntsèrè (mpongwé); pete (ngombe); itsèrè (ngowé); bili (ngwaka); ontiéré (teke); ikokombeibaye (yaoseko); bolikabwalima (yasekwe); food wrapper plant or, generically, wrapping leaf plant (English).
The leaves, fruits, and roots of this plant are used in traditional medicine.
The thin stems are used to make baskets, mats, fish traps, and other everyday objects, woven and covered with clay for the walls of huts, and, together with the leaves, to cover makeshift shelters. The leaves are also used to wrap food, and the fruits are locally consumed roasted. Roots, fruits, and leaves are used in traditional medicine for various ailments.

Preparation Method –
Trachyphrynium braunianum is a tropical African plant with various traditional uses, especially in West and Central Africa. Its broad, flexible leaves are commonly used as a food wrapper (such as kenkey in Ghana or other steamed dishes).
It is also used as a packaging material; in this case, the leaves are used to wrap goods at markets or during transport.
Other uses include traditional medicinal uses: in some areas, the leaves or other parts of the plant are used in herbal remedies, although applications vary locally.
Finally, another use is as a decorative and craft plant: occasionally used for ornamental purposes or for weaving objects.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (eds.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and Experiences with Medicinal Herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
– https://images.mobot.org/tropicosimages3/detailimages/TropicosImageVol3/100597000/A91CEDB1-DF49-4A7D-A3FC-BDBA0E1CCD12.jpg
– http://mam.ansp.org/image/CM/Fullsize/510/CM510987.jpg

Warning: The pharmaceutical applications and dietary uses are provided for informational purposes only and do not in any way constitute medical prescriptions. We therefore decline any responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic, or nutritional purposes.