Common Name:

General Information

Abuta grandifolia varies in habit according to habitat - in a sunny position it is likely to form a shrub or small tree with a spreading crown and a straight bole uo to 4 metres high and 12cm in diameter; it can grow up to 9 metres tall. In a more shady position the plant will often become a climbing shrub with vigorous, woody stems that can climb quite high into the forest canopy[, , ].
The plant is often gathered from the wild for local use as a medicine and also for its edible fruit. The tree is often allowed to remain in cleared pasture in order to provide shade and also for its fruit[].
Abuta grandifolia 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(2020)[].

Known Hazards

The plant is poisonous and is an ingredient of the famous S. American toxin 'curare'[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Northern S. America - Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

Habitat

Rain forests, especially secondary forests[]. Lowland rainforest at elevations below 500 metres[]. Dry loam in old clearings or along the margins of forests[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	5.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of mainly lowland areas in the moist tropics[].

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. A thin layer of white flesh with a sweet-sour flavour[]. The hard-skinned, yellow fruit is about 15mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The large root is acrid and bitter[]. It has a high reputation as a digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, stomachic and tonic[]. It is used in the treatment of liver complaints; bladder complaints; digestive complaints such as flatulence and colic; oedema and snake bites[]. The roots are boiled in water as a remedy for anaemia[].
The plant is used as a substitute for Chondrodendron platyphyllum, and is often mixed with that species.

A decoction of the root and the stems, either fresh or dried, is used as a contraceptive and also in the treatment of diabetes and high cholesterol levels[]

An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers[].

The stem, bark and leaves are macerated in rum to make an aphrodisiac drink[].

The plant contains the alkaloid palmatine and berberine derivatives[].

Other Uses

The pale yellowish or light chocolate brown wood is odourless, but has a very bitter taste. It is coarse-textured, with a roey- or irregular-grain, very heavy, durable and is immune to stain and insects. It is not easy to work; takes a smooth finish[] The wood is used to make house rafters[].

Propagation

Seed -

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