Aspidosperma illustre
(Vell.) Kuhlm. & Piraja
Apocynaceae
Common Name:
General Information
Aspidosperma illustre is a semideciduous tree with a narrow, pyramidal crown; it can grow 10 - 40 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole is slender, around 20 - 30cm in diameter[
409- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 38
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent botanical publication, available for download from the Internet. This volume contains part of the Flora of Panama and a revision of the genus Aspidosperma, amongst other things.
,
625- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 3.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 85-86714-34-4
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood.
Known Hazards
The freshly cut wood and sap of Aspidosperma species causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, with general malaise[
407- Title
- BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database)
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin.
].
The sawdust, on contact with abraded skin, produces local burning and a vesicular eruption with general symptoms of muscular weakness and cramps, sweating, dryness of the mouth, and faintness[
407- Title
- BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database)
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin.
].
Once the wood is thoroughly dry it loses its toxicity unless polishes or dyes in organic solvents are used on it[
407- Title
- BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database)
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin.
]
Botanical References
409- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 38
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent botanical publication, available for download from the Internet. This volume contains part of the Flora of Panama and a revision of the genus Aspidosperma, amongst other things.
Range
S. America - eastern Brazil.
Habitat
A canopy tree in primary formations of the Atlantic rainforest on tablelands and also near the coast[
625- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 3.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 85-86714-34-4
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Semi-deciduous Tree |
| Height | 30.00 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Although tolerant of sunny positions, especially as it grows older, it grows best where the young plants have reasonable levels of shade and can grow up towards the light[
625- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 3.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 85-86714-34-4
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
The tree grows well in open areas and can be used in the early stages of reforestation projects, especially for restoring native woodland[
62- Title
- A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Elias. T. and Dykeman. P.
- Publisher
- Van Nostrand Reinhold
- Year
- 1982
- ISBN
- 0442222009
- Description
- Very readable.
,
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Other Uses
The wood is very fine-textured, grain slightly slanting, heavy, durable and very resistant to wood eating organisms. It is difficult to cut but is used for interior trim in general construction, and also for doors, window frames, parquet flooring turnery, tool handles etc[
625- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 3.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 85-86714-34-4
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within a few days[
625- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 3.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 85-86714-34-4
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
