Ehretia acuminata is a widespread species with much variation. Chinese and Japanese plants named as Ehretia thyrsiflora are not specifically different from the Australian type, and the varieties recognized by Johnston (J. Arnold Arbor. 32: 21. 1951) show no geographical correlations. Attempts to subdivide the complex have not been successful, and it seems most appropriate to apply the specific epithet in a very wide sense[].
In total 7 varieties have been distinguished[].

Common Name: Kodowood

General Information

Ehretia acuminata is a small to large tree with a dense canopy, usually ranging in height from 3 - 15 metres, though specimens up to 30 metres have been recorded in Australia[, ]. Usually evergreen, though it can become deciduous in dry times[]. The bole is straight and cylindrical[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local used as a food, medicine and timber source[]. The tree is also used for roadside plantings[].
Ehretia acuminata has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia.

Habitat

Hills, open forests, thickets on slopes; at elevations of 100 - 1,700 metres in southern China[]. Margins of rainforests and disturbed rainforests[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A very variable plant, found in the warm temperate to tropical zones.
Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in any well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter[]. Tolerates calcareous soils[].
A fast growing tree[].
Var. Pyrifolia is the tropical variety with smaller leaves[]. Var. Polyantha tends to have larger pubescent inflorescences and smaller flowers[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, , , , , , , ]. The unripe fruit is sometimes used as a pickle[, ]. About the size of a pea, it is insipidly sweet when fully ripe[, ]. The immature fruit is pickled[]. The fruit is an orange-yellow to red globose drupe, 3 - 7mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

The leaves and branchlets are used in Chinese medicine[].

Other Uses

The wood is light in weight, tough, soft and easily worked. It is used for building, flooring, cabinet making and furniture, and traditionally for carrying poles[, , , , ].
The wood of var. polyantha is used in the Philippines for furniture, household utensils, carrying poles and other items requiring a strong tough wood[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - it germinates rapidly when sown fresh[].

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