Common Name: Murici Do Campo

General Information

Murici do campo is a deciduous shrub or small tree usually growing up to 6 metres tall, but only 1 metre tall when in scrubby savannah[, ]. The crooked bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter[].
The edible fruit is often gathered from the wild and is then usually made into juices[]. Consumed locally, it is greatly appreciated[]. The tree is also a source of medicines, wood and tannins for local use, and is occasionally cultivated in home gardens for its fruit[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Bolivia, Brazil, the Guyanas, Venezuela.

Habitat

Savannahs, scrublands, barren lands and thickets, generally found on sandy and poor soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position[]. Requires a well-drained soil, succeeding in poor and sandy soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants are generally quite slow-growing[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. A sweet, succulent pulp[]. Usually made into juices, the fleshy pulp has an acidic flavour[]. The yellow, globose fruit is up to 25mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The root bark is scraped and then boiled to make a decoction for treating malaria[].

A decoction of the roots is used to treat diarrhoea[].

The roots and stems are astringent. A decoction is used as a wash to clean ulcers and wounds[].

The stem bark is febrifuge[].

The wood is astringent and vulnerary[].

An infusion of the leaves is drunk as an anti-menorrhagic and as a treatment for cramps during the menstrual cycle[].
The leaves are used as a wash to clean and soothe the skin[].

The leaves contain various flavonoids, saponins and terpenes[].

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins[].

A black dye obtained from the bark is used to colour textiles[].

The wood is medium-textured, moderately heavy, with poor mechanical properties and low durability[]. Because of its small size it is only used for fine cabinet making[].
The wood is used for fuel and making charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position, either in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. Germination rates are normally low, with the seed sprouting within 4 - 8 weeks[]. Transplant the nursery bed seedlings to individual containers when 5 - 7cm tall[].

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