Breaking of seed coat dormancy in a medicinal plant <i>Tetrapleura tetraptera</i> (Schum &amp; Thonn)

Abstract

Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum &amp; Thonn) is a member of the Family Mimosaceae. It is a perennial, wild West African tropical forest tree (Hutchinson &amp; Dalziel, 1973) and is extensively used in many traditional medicines. The fruit is used in Nigeria as a spice added to soup for nursing mothers from the day of delivery to about 1 month postnatally, to prevent post-partum contractions.