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OCHNACEAE

(Ochna family)

• Medicinal / Folk-medicinal aspects: The traditional use of the bark or root of some species in the treatment of wounds and as a pain-relieving application has been recorded. •
• Adverse effects: The nickel- and cobalt- accumulating properties of some species may be of dermatological significance in geographic regions where the soil in which the plants grow contains high levels of these elements. Reports of itching and dermatitis in woodworkers handling African oak remain to be substantiated. •
• Veterinary aspects: •

Members of this family of trees, shrubs and herbs, are found in tropical regions and especially in Brazil. According to Mabberley (2008), about 450 species in 30 genera have been recorded. The principal genera are Luxemburgia A.St.-Hil. [17 spp.], Ochna L. [86 spp.], Ouratea Aubl. [about 200 spp.], Quiina Aubl. [about 35 spp.], and Sauvagesia L. [39 spp.].

Although it has been declared a noxious weed in some parts of the world, Ochna serrulata Walp. (the Mickey Mouse plant) is sometimes grown in temperate regions as a greenhouse ornamental as are certain other species of Ochna L. and Luxemburgia A.St.-Hil.

Brackenridgea palustris Bartell. subsp. foxworthyi Kanis: [syns Brackenridgea foxworthyi Furtado, Ochna foxworthyi Elmer]

This taxon has been found to hyperaccumulate nickel from soils in the Philippines rich in this element, a concentration of 7600 ppm in the dried plant material having been recorded (Brooks 1998). The contact sensitising capacity of nickel and its salts is well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980, Spruit et al. 1980, Fowler 1990, Uter et al. 2016) but it remains to be determined whether the nickel compounds in this plant present a dermatological hazard.

Brackenridgea palustris Bartell. subsp. kjellbergii Kanis

This taxon has been found to hyperaccumulate nickel from soils in the Sulawesi rich in this element, a concentration of 1050 ppm in the dried plant material having been recorded (Brooks 1998, Reeves 2003). The contact sensitising capacity of nickel and its salts is well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980, Spruit et al. 1980, Fowler 1990, Uter et al. 2016) but it remains to be determined whether the nickel compounds in this plant present a dermatological hazard.

Brackenridgea zanguebarica Oliver: [syn. Pleuroridgea zanguebarica Tiegh.]