Common Name:

General Information

Acridocarpus excelsus is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 15 metres tall.
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild as a local source of dyestuff and medicines.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Madagascar.

Habitat

Humid littoral forest to dry deciduous forest and thickets, where it is usually found on dry, rocky and sandy soils, at elevations from sea-level up to 1,250 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	12.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is usually found on dry, rocky and sandy soils[ in the wild[].
The tree is somewhat resistant to bush and forest fires[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is rich in tannins and is astringent[]. A decoction is used as a treatment against diarrhoea and dysentery[].

Other Uses

The bark is rich in tannins[].
A deep red dye can be obtained from the bark[]. The bark can be used fresh or dried; it is pounded and then boiled for 2 - 3 hours. The resultant decoction can be used to dye fibres deep red by simple immersion[]. The fibres can also be mordanted afterwards by steeping them in a solution of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) ash, which produces a fast red-brown[].

Propagation

Seed -

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