Common Name:

General Information

Aspidosperma australe is a semideciduous tree with a dense, globose crown; it can grow 8 - 30 metres tall. The usually straight and cylindrical bole can be 40 - 60cm in diameter[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, dye plant and source of wood and tannins.

Known Hazards

The freshly cut wood and sap of Aspidosperma species causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, with general malaise[].
The sawdust, on contact with abraded skin, produces local burning and a vesicular eruption with general symptoms of muscular weakness and cramps, sweating, dryness of the mouth, and faintness[].
Once the wood is thoroughly dry it loses its toxicity unless polishes or dyes in organic solvents are used on it[]

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, southern, central and eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Semideciduous and dry forests, especially on fertile, chalky terrain in areas not subject to inundation, and most commonly in secondary formations[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position[].
This species appears to hybridize with both A. Tomentosum and A. Pyricollum in the wild[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is used medicinally[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree regenerates spontaneously as a pioneer species in open terrain - it also remains to become an integral part of the climax vegetation[]. It can be used in reforestation schemes for re-establishing native woodland[].

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins[].

A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[].

The heartwood is yellow; the sapwood is white-yellowish. The texture is fine; the grain straight; there is no distinctive taste or aroma. The wood is hard, heavy, with moderate mechanical properties and moderately durable, especially when not in contact with the soil. It is easy to work with hand and machine tools and finishes well. A good quality hardwood, it is used for many purposes including in general and naval construction, for making fine furniture, lathe work, instruments, tool handles, fence posts and veneer[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate in excess of 60% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 15 - 25 days[]. When the seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers[].

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