Common Name:

General Information

Saurauia aspera is a tree with a wide-spreading crown, that can grow up to 15 metres tall[, ]. The bole can be around 25cm in diameter[].
The edible fruit is often gathered from the wild for local use. Because the fruit is valued, the tree is often spared when forest land is cleared[]

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central America - Nicaragua to Mexico.

Habitat

Dense forests, along rivers, wet thickets and bushland; at elevations from 20 - 2,000 metres[]. Prefers positions exposed to direct sunlight[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low to moderate elevations in the moist tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,000 metres.
Prefers a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Very sweet and mucilaginous[, ]. The fruits can be dried for later use[]. The globose berries are 6 - 8mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the fruit is rich in mucilage and makes an effective emollient[]. It is used in the treatment of coughs, colds and throat irritations[].

Other Uses

The white wood is soft and coarse[].

We have no more information on the wood of this species, but the following is a general description of the wood from species in this genus.
The wood is little used, except locally for fuel. It is a pale reddish brown throughout; not attractive; lustre rather low; odourless and tasteless; rather light, but firm, tough, and strong; texture medium; grain straight; easy to cut, saws finely woolly, is rather hairy under the plane; probably not durable. Useful locally for general carpentry and interior construction[].

Propagation

Seed -

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