Aspidosperma discolor
A.DC.
Apocynaceae
Aspidosperma francisii A.DC.
Macaglia discolor (A.DC.) Kuntze
Common Name:
General Information
Aspidosperma discolor is a semideciduous tree with a dense, oblong crown; it can grow 15 - 25 metres tall. The straight bole is distinctly fluted, it can be 40 - 60cm in diameter. All parts of the plant contain a milky latex[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for mainly local use as a medicine and source of wood. An ornamental tree, it is suited for planting in narrow streets under power lines[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Known Hazards
The freshly cut wood and sap of Aspidosperma species causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, with general malaise[
407- Title
- BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database)
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin.
].
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[
407- Title
- BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database)
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin.
].
Once the wood is thoroughly dry it loses its toxicity unless polishes or dyes in organic solvents are used on it[
407- Title
- BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database)
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin.
]
Botanical References
409- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 38
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent botanical publication, available for download from the Internet. This volume contains part of the Flora of Panama and a revision of the genus Aspidosperma, amongst other things.
Range
S. America - central, eastern and northern Brazil.
Habitat
Semideciduous, broadleaved forest[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Semi-deciduous Tree |
| Height | 20.00 m |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in full sun and in dappled shade[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. Plants are tolerant of a very wide range of soils[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Young trees usually establish well and grow away quickly[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The bark is extremely bitter and is said to have an antimalarial action[
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
].
Other Uses
The wood is hard, moderately heavy, with poor mechanical properties and of low durability when exposed to the elements. It is easy to work and is used for making tool handles, and in building construction for making items such as props, rafters and lathes[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position either in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A low germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 15 - 35 days[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. Seedlings grow away quickly and they should be ready to plant out less than 6 months later[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
