Common Name:

General Information

Cryptocarya pleurosperma is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall. The bole is sometimes buttressed[].
The plant is rarely utilized, but has shown promise for medicinal use and is a potential source of wood,.

Known Hazards

Numerous alkaloids have been isolated from this species, and workers have developed quite severe skin irritation and blistering while handling the bark and timber[, ]. These reactions can even occur when protective clothing is worn. This species causes severe skin reactions and allergies[].

Botanical References

Range

Australia - northeast Queensland.

Habitat

rain forests in soils derived from a variety of rock types; from sea level to 700 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The alkaloid cryptopleurine extracted from the bark of this species showed strong activity against tumor cell cultures. This alkaloid inhibits protein synthesis. It also has a marked inhibiting effect against herpes virus[].

Other Uses

The tree produces millable logs, but these are seldom harvested because of the health hazards of working with the wood[].
Many Cryptocarya species that grow large enough are utilized for their timber, very often with several species being lumped together indiscriminately. Most species do not have very detailed individual descriptions of their timber - the following is a general description for the species[].
The heartwood is pinkish brown, grayish brown, reddish brown, or chocolate brown; it is not clearly differentiated from the somewhat lighter-coloured sapwood. The texture is rather fine to medium; the grain usually straight; lustre low; sometimes with an aromatic odour when freshly cut but without any distinctive odour or taste when dry. A silica content of up to 0:82% has been reported for some species. Some species are reported to be easy to season, whilst others have a tendency to warp and split. The wood is generally reported to be not difficult to work with hand and machine tools. Durability is variable with species; most species being not very durable when exposed to the elements. The sapwood is prone to powder-post beetle attack. The wood is often attractive and can be used for purposes such as cabinetwork, flooring, decorative veneers, panelling; whilst it is also often used for joinery, construction etc[].

Propagation

Seed -

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