Common Name:

General Information

Alyxia rostrata is an evergreen scrambing shrub often adopting a more climbing habit with stems that twine into the surrounding vegetation.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and for its wood, which is used to make sewing needles.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australasia - New Guinea.

Habitat

Closed or open primary or secondary forest or scrub vegetation, at elevations from 1,220 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

We have seen no specific record for this species, but local wine industries sometimes use Alyxia to flavour their product with the coumarin substances found in the bark[].

Medicinal

The exudate of the inner bark is mixed with coconut bark and boiled together. The decoction is drunk to relieve backache and relax back muscles[].

The compounds responsible for the fragrant smell of many Alyxia species are a mixture of isomeric coumarins which are particularly found in the bark[].
The presence of iridoid substances is also reported[].

Other Uses

The wood can be used to make needles for sewing[].

Many species throughout the range of the genus are used in personal adornment and it is thought that the name Alyxia comes from the Greek 'halusis' meaning a chain, in reference to the making of leis in the Pacific. Leis are chains of leaves and the bark after it has been stripped off the wood. These are twisted around each other to form a decorative and scented chain for use on festive occasions[].

Propagation

Seed - the plant is easy to grow from seed, especially if the fruit pulp is removed prior to sowing[, ].
Cuttings of 5 - 8mm diameter and 10 - 15cm long are preferred. The cuttings are directly inserted to a depth of 2cm in a medium of equal parts soil and compost. The cuttings should be screened from direct sunlight and regularly sprayed to maintain humidity. After 2 weeks roots of 1cm length will have developed, and the first pair of leaves can be discerned after 3 weeks. The cuttings are ready for transplanting when 2 - 3 pairs of leaves have developed. Shade as well as frequency of watering can be gradually reduced[].

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