Vismia gracilis
Hieron.
Hypericaceae
There is some disagreement over the correct name for this species. We have followed the treatment in 'Flora do Brasil' (http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2010/), but some other authorities use the name Vismia glaziovii[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Vismia amazonica Ewan
Vismia glaziovii Ruhland
Common Name:
Resprouting from the base after a forest clearing
Photograph by: Rob Westerduijn
General Information
Vismia gracilis is a shrub or small tree with a spreading crown.
The tree is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of the moist tropics, mainly found in lowland areas but extending to elevations of 1,000 metres or more.
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
An orange-red latex (or sap) obtained from the bark is applied onto the skin as an anti-fungal; is used as a treatment for ringworm; and is also used for treating eczema[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
The bark and sap are applied to persistent sores to effect a complete healing[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
Other Uses
Although we have seen no specific information for this species, plants in this genus usually have a reddish to dark brown heartwood with a pinkish brown sapwood that often has a greyish cast, The wood is medium to fairly coarse textured; moderately light to medium in weight; inclined to be fibrous; brittle; easy to work; takes a fairly lustrous or lustrous finish; and is moderately durable[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Because of its generally small size and low quality, it is only used locally - sometimes as a timber but more commonly for fuel[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
