''Harungana'' is a genus of African flowering plants within the St. Johnswort family,

Hypericaceae Hypericaceae is a plant family in the order Malpighiales, comprising six to nine genera and up to 700 species, and commonly known as the St. John's wort family. Members are found throughout the world apart from extremely cold or dry habitats. '' ...

Species

'' Plants of the World Online'' currently includes:Plants of the World Online: ''Harungana'' Lam. (retrieved 12 January 2022)
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Harungana madagascariensis ''Harungana madagascariensis'' is a flowering plant found in Madagascar that is commonly known as the dragon's blood tree, orange-milk tree or haronga. Description The haronga is a small, bushy tree that usually ranges from 4 m to 7 ...

'' Lam. ex Poir. # ''

Harungana montana ''Harungana montana'' is a species of tree in the family Hypericaceae. It is one of two species in the genus ''Harungana'', with the other one being ''Harungana madagascariensis''. It can be found in rainforests at altitudes of 2000–3000 meters ...

'' Spirlet # '' Harungana rubescens'' (Oliv.) Byng & Christenh

Distribution and habitat

''Harungana'' can be found in medium to low altitudes around 1000-1600m above sea level in evergreen forest, usually around the forest margins and along river banks. It is widely distributed from South Africa to Sudan. It is often the first plant to be found in a forest that has been cleared. It can be found in both forest and savanna regions. It is native to Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. ''Harungana'' is an introduced genus, naturalized and brought to the Harvey Creek,

Babinda Babinda is a rural town and locality in the Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia. In the , the locality of Babinda had a population of 1,253 people. Geography Babinda is located south of Cairns. The town is noted for its proximity to Queensl ...

, and Mirriwinni areas of Australia. ''Harungana'' has now become quite common in disturbed coastal lowland rainforest and has the capacity to spread widely.

Uses

''Harungana madagasacariensis'' can be used in various ways. For example, ''H. madagasacariensis'' is a source of firewood and is used in the production of charcoal. The tree is not used commercially because it rarely grows to merchantable size. However, people sometimes use the light wood to make poles for building houses. The plant has red

sap Sap is a fluid transported in xylem cells (vessel elements or tracheids) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. These cells transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. Sap is distinct from latex, resin, or cell sap; it is a separ ...

. Sap is used to treat scabies and anthelmintic (

tapeworm Eucestoda, commonly referred to as tapeworms, is the larger of the two subclasses of flatworms in the class Cestoda (the other subclass is Cestodaria). Larvae have six posterior hooks on the scolex (head), in contrast to the ten-hooked Cesto ...

). It is also used as a treatment for

ringworm Dermatophytosis, also known as ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin. Typically it results in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash. Hair loss may occur in the area affected. Symptoms begin four to fourteen days after exposure. Multiple ar ...

in Liberia. The leaves are used to control hemorrhages and diarrhoea, and as remedy for gonorrhea, sore throat, headaches and fevers. Flower stalks is rumored to ease colic and to check infection after childbirth. Decoction of the bark is used to treat malaria and jaundice. Roots are used to improve breast development in young women. Young leaves are sometimes used to treat asthma. In certain areas of Eastern Africa, people believe that fruits of ''H. madagasacariensis'' avert bleeding because of its red juice, so are used for abortion.

References

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External links

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q5194906 Taxa named by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck Malpighiales genera Flora of Africa