© Thomas Brendler
Gouania leguatii J. Guého, Rhamnaceae
This genus comprises some 15 species and is of pantropical distribution. It is found in America, Africa, Asia and Asia as well as in the south-west Indian Ocean. Medicinal properties are reported for a variety of Gouania spp. and applications include treatment of skin diorders as well as oedema and gastric disorders (leaves), to treat gums and clean teeth (stem), hypertension (root). Emmenagogue properties have also been reported.
A climbing shrub with. Stipules present, leaves short-petioled. Blades membraneous, narrowly to widely oval 4×2.5 cm in size. Flowers hermaphrodite or male only, in loose racemes with several peduncled fascicles in the axils of the leaves, 4-10 per fascicule.
The stem of G. spp. has yielded triterpenoid saponins.