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Useful Tropical Plants

Casearia hirsuta

Sw.

Salicaceae


This species is very closely related to Casearia guianensis (Aubl.) Urb., and is considered by some to be not distinct from it[
1715
Title
O Gênero Casearia Jacq. No Brasil
Publication
Rev. Biol. Neotrop. 13(1): 69-249. 2016
Author
Marquete R. & Mansana V.F.
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
There are still considerable differences in the concept of species delineation within this genus. We are following the treatment of Marquete R. & Mansano Vidal F., in O Gênero Casearia Jacq. No Brasil[
1715
Title
O Gênero Casearia Jacq. No Brasil
Publication
Rev. Biol. Neotrop. 13(1): 69-249. 2016
Author
Marquete R. & Mansana V.F.
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 
] for all the Brazilian species in this database[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Guidonia hirsuta (Sw.) M.Gómez

Samyda hirsuta (Sw.) Poir.

Samyda pubescens Desv. ex Ham.

Common Name: Wild Coffee

Casearia hirsuta
Shrubby plant growing in native habitat
Photograph by: Reinaldo Aguilar
Creative Commons License
Casearia hirsuta Casearia hirsuta Casearia hirsuta Casearia hirsuta Casearia hirsuta

General Information

Casearia hirsuta is usually a deciduous shrub that can vary in height from 2.4 - 5 metres, though occasionally it will be more tree-like and grow up to 7.5 metres tall with a slender bole[
342
Title
Flora of Jamaica
Publication
 
Author
Fawcett. W. & Rendle. A. B.
Publisher
British Museum
Year
1910
ISBN
 
Description
Rather dated, so many name changes. Nevertheless, a very good guide to the plants of the Caribbean. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from various websites.
,
426
Title
Flowering Plants of Jamaica
Publication
 
Author
Adams. C.D.
Publisher
University of the West Indies; Jamaica.
Year
1972
ISBN
 
Description
A terse treatment of the flowering plants of Jamaica, with a botanical description of each plant, notes on habitat etc.
].
The plant is sometimes harvested for its wood, which is used locally[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].

Known Hazards

The fruit is a capsute containing several seeds. Although the capsule of some species (and possibly also the seeds contained therein) is somewhat toxic, the fleshy aril surrounding the seeds is a different matter and in some species (see information below on edibility to see if this is one of them) is often eaten and is considered to be perfectly wholesome[
1438
Title
Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
Publication
 
Author
Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
 
Description
A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
,
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Botanical References

342
Title
Flora of Jamaica
Publication
 
Author
Fawcett. W. & Rendle. A. B.
Publisher
British Museum
Year
1910
ISBN
 
Description
Rather dated, so many name changes. Nevertheless, a very good guide to the plants of the Caribbean. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from various websites.
,
1715
Title
O Gênero Casearia Jacq. No Brasil
Publication
Rev. Biol. Neotrop. 13(1): 69-249. 2016
Author
Marquete R. & Mansana V.F.
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

Northern S. America - Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, north to Costa Rica and the Caribbean.

Habitat

Mainly found in forested regions, growing in thickets and woodland margins, also found in savannah, often invading pastures, on a variety of soils but mainly limestone; at elevations from 75 - 800 metres[
426
Title
Flowering Plants of Jamaica
Publication
 
Author
Adams. C.D.
Publisher
University of the West Indies; Jamaica.
Year
1972
ISBN
 
Description
A terse treatment of the flowering plants of Jamaica, with a botanical description of each plant, notes on habitat etc.
,
1715
Title
O Gênero Casearia Jacq. No Brasil
Publication
Rev. Biol. Neotrop. 13(1): 69-249. 2016
Author
Marquete R. & Mansana V.F.
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Properties

Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitDeciduous Shrub
Height5.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The globose fruit is a capsule around 7 - 12mm in diameter containing a number of seeds that are surrounded by a thin, yellow aril[
1715
Title
O Gênero Casearia Jacq. No Brasil
Publication
Rev. Biol. Neotrop. 13(1): 69-249. 2016
Author
Marquete R. & Mansana V.F.
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. We have no specific reports of edibility for this species, but the aril of several species in this genus are known to be edible and, unless it is very bitter, in an emergency the aril of this species is likely to supply a tiny bit of nutriment[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The soft wood is used for making furniture[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].

Propagation

The seed of species in this genus often has a short period of viability and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe. The seed is collected when the fruits start to open - leave them in the sun to open completely to release the seed, then rinse the seed in water to remove the arils[
340
Title
Iracambi Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Gallia. E.
Website
http://www.iracambi.com/english/herbarium.shtml
Publisher
 
Year
2003
ISBN
 
Description
Basic iInformation on 14 plants of the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil.
]. Sow the seed in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed, only just covering the seed, and keep moist. Germination rates vary, but can usually be expected to be low, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
]. When the seedlings are 3 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out a few months later[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
].
Cuttings.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Casearia+hirsuta>

Comments

Joanne Mercille 04th January 2016 3:27
This plant will grow in a mist bed by cuttings. It can be used as horticulture near a house be cause it is very fragrant but the leaves are not as eaten up like c. odorata, the red strawberry like fruits are interesting and attracts birds.

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