Common Name:

General Information

Cecropia purpurascens is an evergreen tree with an open, sparse crown; it can grow 5 - 7 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a local source of food, wood and fibre. It is very ornamental and can be used in landscaping[].

Known Hazards

The branches and leaf petioles of Cecropia species are often hollow and can harbour stinging ants. The trees attract the ants by means of producing a honey-like sap and the ants respond by working to keep the tree free of leaf-eating pests - which can include humans[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northwest Brazil.

Habitat

Secondary forests in areas not subject to periodic inundation[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants in this genus generally prefer a sunny position in a well-drained soil[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
A fast-growing, but short-lived tree[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A fleshy pulp with a sweetish flavour when ripe[]. The finger-shaped, aggregate fruit can be 150mm long and 15mm wide[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

With their sparse canopy and attractive foliage that is green above and silver-felted below, members of this genus generally provide a dramatic canopy but only cast a very light shade, allowing other plants to be grown right up to the base of their trunk[]. Many members of the genus can be used as pioneer species when developing a new woodland[].

Other Uses

The fibrous bark is used for making rustic ropes[].

The wood is thick-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, soft and not durable[]. Because of its low quality and small dimensions, the wood is only used for low value items such as boxes, toothpicks, shoe heels, pencils etc[]. Because it is light in weight, it can be used like balsa wood to make aeroplane models etc[]. It is also pulped as a source of cellulose[].

Propagation

Seed - requires light to germinate. It can be sown in light shade in a nursery seedbed, but should not be covered, just lightly pressed into the soil[]. Germination rates are usually moderate, with the seed commencing to sprout after about 3 weeks[].
Greenwood cuttings in a frame with bottom heat.

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