Griffonia Simplicifolia ~*

Griffonia Simplicifolia (syn. Bandeiraea Simplicifolia Benth.) is a woody climbing shrub native to West Africa and Central Africa. It grows to about 3 m, and bears greenish flowers followed by black pods. The seeds of the plant are used as a herbal supplement for their 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP ) content. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is an important building block for the human body to form serotonin. Serotonin plays an important role in the body specially as a neurotransmitter to transport signals between neurons in the nervous system. Griffonia Simplicifolia also has a legume lectin called GS Isolectin B4, which binds to alpha-D-galactosyl residues of polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Had this for about a year. Pretty slow grower. Seems to be pretty drought tolerant. Likes part shade and protection from hot dry winds in summer. Pretty hardy ~*