Common Name:

General Information

Aspidosperma riedelii is a semideciduous tree with an open, upright crown; usually growing 4 - 6 metres tall. I, very dry, rocky soils it is more likely to grow as a small shrub. The bole is usually crooked, around 15 - 25cm in diameter. All parts of the plant contain a latex[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. A very ornamental plant with delicate foliage, it is suitable for street planting and general landscaping[].

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 - Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Open places and semideciduous altitude forests where it is found in rocky, well-drained terrain, especially along rocky river banks[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
Young trees have a moderate rate of growth[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is compact and uniform, moderately heavy, with moderate mechanical properties and of low natural durability[]. Because of its small dimensions it is only used for purposes such as lathe work and tool handles[].

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 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within a few days[]. When the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 5 - 6 months later[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: How many fingers does the typical human have?