Common Name: Remo Caspi

General Information

Remo caspi is a huge, multi-buttressed, evergreen canopy tree of the Amazon Rainforest. It grows up to 30 meters high and has large above-ground buttress roots.
The plant is often used medicinally within its native range. The tree is quite popular with the loggers and the lumber industry since it produces a huge quantity of high quality rainforest hardwood timber[].

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

Western S. America - Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, and Guyana, through C. America to Costa Rica.

Habitat

Lower elevations of the tropical rainforest[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root bark is antibacterial, antiperiodic, antiseptic, antitussive, aphrodisiac, carminative, digestive, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, stomachic and vasodilator[, ].

A decoction of the bark is a very common remedy for malaria, widely used by local people throughout the Amazon rainforest[]. It is also used in the treatment of other types of fevers, digestive disorders, hepatitis, bronchitis, high blood pressure, inflammation, diabetes and cancer[].
The stem bark or leaf stems are also chewed on to prevent cavities and relieve toothaches[].

The main active constituents are a group of indole alkaloids that are called aspidosperma alkaloids. Several of these have been shown to have antimalarial actions[].
The root bark also contains another well known alkaloid called yohimbine. This has been the subject of much research as a vasodilator for the treatment for erectile dysfunction[].

Other Uses

The wood is durable, compact, strong and elastic[]. It is used for construction, mill rollers etc[, ]. The large buttress roots are often used to construct canoe paddles since the root wood is lightweight yet highly durable[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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