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Zanthoxylum heitzii (Aubrév. & Pellegr.)

P.G.Waterman

Protologue
Taxon 24: 363 (1975).

Family
Rutaceae

Synonyms
Fagara heitzii Aubrév. & Pellegr. (1950), Fagara brieyi Vermoesen ex
G.C.C.Gilbert (1958).

Vernacular names
Olon tendre (Fr).

Origin and geographic distribution

Zanthoxylum heitzii occurs from southern Cameroon and the Central African
Republic to Gabon and Bas-Congo province of DR Congo.

Uses
The wood, often traded as ‘olon’ or ‘light olon’, is suitable for light construction,
light flooring, joinery, interior trim, moulding, shipbuilding, furniture, cabinet work,
toys, novelties, boxes, crates, turnery, veneer, plywood, hardboard and particle
board. It is used locally for canoes, drums and beehives. It is sometimes also
used as firewood.
Zanthoxylum heitzii is used in traditional medicine. In Cameroon scrapings from
the stem bark are applied externally to treat malaria, and in Congo to soothe
toothache. In Gabon the bark is applied externally in lotions to treat rheumatism
and stiffness, and a maceration of young twigs in lemon juice to treat heart
complaints. In Cameroon the bark is used to treat gonorrhoea, abscesses and
painful joints and male sexual impotence. In Congo the bark is used as an
analgesic. It serves as a fish poison. The tree is sometimes retained by farmers
after clearing the forest for agricultural land, to serve as a shade tree for
cultivation of crops such as coffee and cocoa.

Production and international trade

The annual production of Zanthoxylum heitzii timber in Gabon in 1994–1995 has
been estimated at 5700 m³. The timber of Zanthoxylum heitzii has little
importance on the international market and is mostly traded for local use. Few
trade statistics are available because the wood of Zanthoxylum gilletii (De Wild.)
P.G.Waterman is sometimes sold as ‘olon’ too. Annual olon log exports during
the 1960s were 5000–6000 m³ from Equatorial Guinea and 1300–3000 m³/year
from Gabon, whereas only very small volumes were exported from Cameroon
and Congo. In 1997–1998 Equatorial Guinea exported about 1900 m³/year.
According to ATIBT statistics, Gabon exported 310 m³ in 2001, 499 m³ in 2002,
1071 m³ in 2003 and 886 m³ in 2004. Sawnwood exports are insignificant.
The bark is sold on local markets for medicinal purposes, e.g. in Yaoundé
(Cameroon), where in 2002 the price was 5–8 XAF (CFA Central Franc) per g.

Properties
The heartwood is pale yellow to greenish yellow and indistinctly demarcated from
the pale yellow, 1–2 cm wide sapwood. The grain is usually interlocked,
sometimes straight, texture fine to moderately coarse. Quartercut surfaces show
a slight ribbon-like figure. Freshly cut wood has a slight, pleasant scent. The
wood is lustrous.
The wood is medium-weight, with a density of 450–560 kg/m³ at 12% moisture
content. It air dries rapidly with slight risk of distortion and checking. The rates of
shrinkage are moderate, from green to oven dry 3.7–3.9% radial and 5.7–6.1%
tangential. Once dry, it is moderately stable in service.
At 12% moisture content, the modulus of rupture is 72–122 N/mm², modulus of
elasticity 10,000–12,400 N/mm², compression parallel to grain 35–51 N/mm²,
shear 6 N/mm², cleavage 7–12 N/mm and Chalais-Meudon side hardness 1.5–
2.9.
The wood saws and works well with ordinary machine and hand tools. Planing
may cause some difficulties due to interlocked grain. The moulding, polishing,
gluing, painting and varnishing properties are all satisfactory. The screwing and
nailing properties are good and the wood holds screws well, but nails are easy to
draw. It produces good veneer by slicing and rotary cutting. The wood is not
durable and susceptible to fungal, termite, Lyctus and marine borer attacks. The
heartwood is resistant to impregnation with preservatives, the sapwood
moderately resistant. The sawdust may be irritant; allergic contact dermatitis has
been recorded in workers.
The wood contains: cellulose 41–47%, pentosans 10–14%, lignin 30–31% and
ash 0.1–0.2%. Solubilities are 1.8–2.4% in hot water, 3.2–5.8% in alcohol-
benzene and 11.1–12.7% in 1% NaOH. The wood fibres are 1.17 mm long and
30 μm wide, with a lumen diameter of 21 μm and a cell wall thickness of 8 μm.
Good pulps can be obtained from the wood using the kraft process and other
chemical pulping processes.
The secondary alkaloid flindersine has been extracted from the heartwood; the
bark yielded several lignans, the triterpenes lupeol and lupeone, and the
alkaloids skimmianine and 6-methylnitidine.
Adulterations and substitutes
The wood of Zanthoxylum gilletii is often sold as ‘olon’, although it has a higher
density and it is harder.

Description
Medium-sized to fairly large tree up to 35 m tall; bole branchless for up to 20 m,
usually straight and cylindrical, up to 150 cm in diameter, with many woody,
prickle-bearing protuberances up to 9 cm long but old trees often lacking these,
usually without buttresses but often slightly thickened at base; outer bark grey to
greenish grey, smooth to slightly fissured and scaly in old trees, inner bark
granular to fibrous, yellowish brown, often mottled with orange; crown large, with
ascending, strongly branched branches; branches glabrous, armed with conical
prickles. Leaves alternate, clustered at ends of branches, imparipinnately
compound with 25–51 leaflets, up to 100 cm long; stipules absent; rachis
glabrous, sometimes with small prickles; leaflets nearly opposite, sessile, oblong
to oblong-lanceolate, 4–15(–20) cm × 2–5 cm, rounded to slightly cordate and
asymmetrical at base, shortly acuminate at apex, margin slightly toothed with
rounded teeth, leathery, glabrous, with scattered minute glandular dots, pinnately
veined with 10–20 pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescence a terminal or axillary
panicle up to 40 cm long, many-flowered with flowers in clusters. Flowers
unisexual, regular, 5-merous, small, sessile; sepals united for most of their
length, 0.5–1 mm long; petals oblanceolate, c. 2 mm long, white, turning brown;
male flowers with 5 stamens, disk conical, thick, ovary rudimentary; female
flowers with superior, globose ovary 1–1.5 mm long, stamens rudimentary. Fruit
a globose follicle c. 4 mm in diameter, glandular pitted, dehiscent, 1-seeded.
Seed globose, c. 2.5 mm in diameter, black and shiny.

Other botanical information

Zanthoxylum is pantropical and comprises about 200 species, with tropical
America being richest in species. Mainland Africa harbours about 35 species,
whereas about 5 species are endemic to Madagascar. Zanthoxylum heitzii is
often confused with Zanthoxylum gilletii, which produces a heavier and harder
timber and also differs in less numerous and larger leaflets with often entire
margins.

Anatomy
Wood-anatomical description (IAWA hardwood codes):
Growth rings: 2: growth ring boundaries indistinct or absent. Vessels: 5: wood
diffuse-porous; 13: simple perforation plates; 22: intervessel pits alternate; (23:
shape of alternate pits polygonal); 25: intervessel pits small (4–7 μm); 30: vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders; similar to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell; 42: mean tangential diameter of vessel lumina 100–200
μm; 47: 5–20 vessels per square millimetre; (48: 20–40 vessels per square
millimetre); 58: gums and other deposits in heartwood vessels. Tracheids and
fibres: 61: fibres with simple to minutely bordered pits; 66: non-septate fibres
present; 69: fibres thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma: 78: axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal; (79: axial parenchyma vasicentric); (89: axial parenchyma in
marginal or in seemingly marginal bands); (91: two cells per parenchyma strand);
92: four (3–4) cells per parenchyma strand. Rays: (97: ray width 1–3 cells); (98:
larger rays commonly 4- to 10-seriate); 104: all ray cells procumbent; (106: body
ray cells procumbent with one row of upright and/or square marginal cells); 115:
4–12 rays per mm. Secretory elements and cambial variants: (131: intercellular
canals of traumatic origin). Mineral inclusions: 136: prismatic crystals present;
142: prismatic crystals in chambered axial parenchyma cells.
(N.P. Mollel, P. Détienne & E.A. Wheeler)

Growth and development

Zanthoxylum heitzii grows rapidly. The seeds are probably dispersed by birds.

Ecology
Zanthoxylum heitzii occurs in evergreen and semi-deciduous forest, up to 1200
m altitude. It is a pioneer species that is most common in secondary forest. It
prefers well-drained soils.

Propagation and planting

Seedlings are light-demanding and natural regeneration may be abundant in
larger gaps in the forest. Seeds may germinate 25–30 days after sowing. Seeds
that have been soaked in water for longer periods do not germinate.

Management
Mature Zanthoxylum heitzii trees usually occur scattered in the forest. For
southern Cameroon average exploitable timber volumes of less than 0.1 m³/ha to
0.8 m³/ha have been recorded, and for Gabon an average timber volume of 0.3
m³/ha.

Diseases and pests

The wood-boring beetle Apate monachus and the hemipterous Lerida punctata
have been recorded as pests of Zanthoxylum heitzii in natural forest in
Cameroon.

Harvesting
The minimum bole diameter for harvesting is 60 cm in Cameroon and 50 cm in
Central African Republic.

Handling after harvest

The wood is susceptible to blue stain and logs should be removed from the forest
immediately after felling or be treated with an anti-sapstain chemical. Logs float
in water and can be transported by river.

Genetic resources
Zanthoxylum heitzii is valued for its multipurpose timber and there is high
demand locally for its bark, which is used in traditional medicine. Although this
species is not considered of conservation concern at present, the logging and
debarking may make it liable to genetic erosion in the near future. The pressure
on the trees because of bark collection can be locally high, as was recorded
around the Dja reserve in southern Cameroon.

Prospects
Zanthoxylum heitzii may have good prospects as a plantation timber tree, but
more research is needed on propagation techniques. It seems to be a suitable
candidate for sustainable timber exploitation in natural forest because it is able to
regenerate in logged-over forest.
The medicinal properties deserve more attention, particularly the analgesic
activity. Several of the claimed activities in traditional medicine are comparable to
those of Zanthoxylum gilletii, which has been subject to much more
pharmacological research, with promising results.

Major references
• Bolza, E. & Keating, W.G., 1972. African timbers: the properties, uses and
characteristics of 700 species. Division of Building Research, CSIRO, Melbourne,
Australia. 710 pp.
• CIRAD Forestry Department, 2003. Olon. [Internet] Tropix 5.0.
http://tropix.cirad.fr/ afr/olon.pdf. Accessed September 2007.
• CTFT (Centre Technique Forestier Tropical), 1980. Olon. Bois et Forêts des
Tropiques 191: 47–57.
• de Saint-Aubin, G., 1963. La forêt du Gabon. Publication No 21 du Centre
Technique Forestier Tropical, Nogent-sur-Marne, France. 208 pp.
• Petroff, G., Doat, J. & Tissot, M., 1967. Caractéristiques papetières de quelques
essences tropicales de reboisement. Centre Technique Forestier Tropical,
Nogent-sur-Marne, France. 166 pp.
• Sallenave, P., 1955. Propriétés physiques et mécaniques des bois tropicaux de
l’Union française. Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Nogent sur Marne,
France. 129 pp.
• Sallenave, P., 1964. Propriétés physiques et mécaniques des bois tropicaux.
Premier supplément. Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Nogent-sur-Marne,
France. 79 pp.
• Takahashi, A., 1978. Compilation of data on the mechanical properties of
foreign woods (part 3) Africa. Shimane University, Matsue, Japan, 248 pp.

Other references
• Adjanohoun, E.J., Ahyi, A.M.R., Aké Assi, L., Baniakina, J., Chibon, P., Cusset,
G., Doulou, V., Enzanza, A., Eymé, J., Goudoté, E., Keita, A., Mbemba, C.,
Mollet, J., Moutsamboté, J.-M., Mpati, J. & Sita, P. (Editors), 1988. Médecine
traditionnelle et pharmacopée - Contribution aux études ethnobotaniques et
floristiques en République Populaire du Congo. Agence de Coopération
Culturelle et Technique, Paris, France. 606 pp.
• ATIBT (Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux), 1986.
Tropical timber atlas: Part 1 – Africa. ATIBT, Paris, France. 208 pp.
• ATIBT (Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux), 2005.
Statistics. ATIBT Newsletter 22: 26–47.
• Betti, J.L., 2001. Vulnérabilité des plantes utilisées comme antipaludiques dans
l'arrondissement de Mintom au sud de la réserve de biosphère du Dja
(Cameroun). Systematics and Geography of Plants 71: 661-678.
• Betti, J.L., 2002. Medicinal plants sold in Yaoundé markets, Cameroon. African
Study Monographs 23(2): 47–64.
• Betti, J.L., 2003. Plantes utilisées pour soigner le paludisme dans la réserve du
Dja, Cameroun. Revue de Médecines et Pharmacopées Africaines 17: 121–130.
• Bongui, J.-B., Blanckaert, A., Elomri, A. & Seguin, E., 2005. Constituents of
Zanthoxylum heitzii (Rutaceae). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 33(8):
845–847.
• Condé-Salazar, D., Guimaraens, D., Romero, V. & Gonzalez, M.A., 1987.
Allergic contact dermatitis to Olon wood. Contact Dermatitis 16(4): 231–232.
• Foahom, B., 2002. Insect pest incidence on timber tree species in natural forest
in South Cameroon. Tropenbos-Cameroon Document 12. Tropenbos Cameroon
Programme, Kribi, Cameroon. 54 pp.
• Gassita, J.N., Nze Ekekang, L., De Vecchy, H., Louis, A.M., Koudogbo, B. &
Ekomié, R. (Editors), 1982. Les plantes médicinales du Gabon. CENAREST,
IPHAMETRA, mission ethnobotanique de l’ACCT au Gabon, 10–31 juillet 1982.
26 pp.
• Gilbert, G., 1958. Rutaceae. In: Robyns, W., Staner, P., Demaret, F., Germain,
R., Gilbert, G., Hauman, L., Homès, M., Jurion, F., Lebrun, J., Vanden Abeele,
M. & Boutique, R. (Editors). Flore du Congo belge et du Ruanda-Urundi.
Spermatophytes. Volume 7. Institut National pour l’Étude Agronomique du Congo
belge, Brussels, Belgium. pp. 69–108.
• InsideWood, undated. [Internet] http://insidewood.lib.ncsu.edu/search/.
Accessed May 2007.
• Letouzey, R., 1963. Rutacées. Flore du Cameroun. Volume 1. Muséum
National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France. pp. 32–153.
• Letouzey, R., 1963. Rutacées. Flore du Gabon. Volume 6. Muséum National
d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France. pp. 3–109.
• Ngavoura, P., 1990. Fiabilité de la médecine traditionnelle dans le monde
moderne - “Contribution du forestier”. Mémoire de fin de cycle, Ecole nationale
des eaux et forêts (ENEF), Cap-Estérias, Gabon. 115 pp.
• Ngouela, S., Tsamo, E. & Connolly, J.D., 1994. Lignans and other constituents
of Zanthoxylum heitzii. Phytochemistry 37(3): 867–869.
• Nkeoua, G. & Boundzanga, G.C., 1999. Données sur les produits forestières
non ligneux en République du Congo. FAO, Brazzaville, Congo. 125 pp.
• Raponda-Walker, A. & Sillans, R., 1961. Les plantes utiles du Gabon. Paul
Lechevalier, Paris, France. 614 pp.
• Tailfer, Y., 1989. La forêt dense d’Afrique centrale. Identification pratique des
principaux arbres. Tome 2. CTA, Wageningen, Pays Bas. pp. 465–1271.
• Vivien, J. & Faure, J.J., 1985. Arbres des forêts denses d’Afrique Centrale.
Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, Paris, France. 565 pp.
• Wilks, C. & Issembé, Y., 2000. Les arbres de la Guinée Equatoriale: Guide
pratique d’identification: région continentale. Projet CUREF, Bata, Guinée
Equatoriale. 546 pp.

Sources of illustration
• Letouzey, R., 1963. Rutacées. Flore du Gabon. Volume 6. Muséum National
d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France. pp. 3–109.
• Wilks, C. & Issembé, Y., 2000. Les arbres de la Guinée Equatoriale: Guide
pratique d’identification: région continentale. Projet CUREF, Bata, Guinée
Equatoriale. 546 pp.

Author(s)
• R.B. Jiofack Tafokou
Ecologic Museum of Cameroon, P.O. Box 8038, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Editors
• D. Louppe
CIRAD, Département Environnements et Sociétés, Cirad es-dir, Campus
international de Baillarguet, TA C-DIR / B (Bât. C, Bur. 113), 34398 Montpellier
Cedex 5, France

• A.A. Oteng-Amoako
Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG), University P.O. Box 63,
KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

• M. Brink
 PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands

General editors
• R.H.M.J. Lemmens
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands

• L.P.A. Oyen
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands

• J.R. Cobbinah
Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG), University P.O. Box 63,
KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
Photo editor
• G.H. Schmelzer
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands

wild
1, base of bole; 2, leaf; 3, leaflet; 4, male inflorescence; 5, female inflorescence;
6, fruit.
Redrawn and adapted by Achmad Satiri Nurhaman

base of bole
bark

slash
wood in transverse section

wood in tangential section

wood in radial section