Astianthus viminalis
(Kunth) Baill.
Bignoniaceae
Astianthus longifolius D.Don
Bignonia salicifolia Sessé & Moc.
Bignonia viminalis Kunth
Gelseminum viminale (Kunth) Kuntze
Tecoma viminalis (Kunth) Hemsl.
Common Name: Azúchil
General Information
Astianthus viminalis is an evergrren tree, occasionally only a shrub, usually growing up to 20 metres tall[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
,
1171- Title
- Flora del Bajío y de Regiones Adyacentes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Jerzy Rzedowski & Graciela Calderón de Rzedowski (Editors)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Instituto de Ecología A.C. Centro Regional del Bajío; Mexico
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
- 0188-5170
- Description
- Spanish-language flora of northwestern Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine, and the bark is possibly also used as a source of fibre. The foliage is decidedly willow-like and of a vivid green, the trees are a beautiful sight when covered with their abundant, brilliant yellow blossoms[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
,
1171- Title
- Flora del Bajío y de Regiones Adyacentes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Jerzy Rzedowski & Graciela Calderón de Rzedowski (Editors)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Instituto de Ecología A.C. Centro Regional del Bajío; Mexico
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
- 0188-5170
- Description
- Spanish-language flora of northwestern Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet
,
1207- Title
- Flora del Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/118975#/summary
- Publisher
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Year
- 1993 - 2015
- ISBN
- 968-36-3108-8
- Description
- An excellent flora (in Spanish) of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán biosphere reserve in southeastern Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet
Range
C. America - Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, north to Mexico.
Habitat
River banks and gravel bars along streams, at elevations up to 500 metres[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. Abundant on stream banks, the trees often standing deep in water at the flood season[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 12.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The leaves are hypoglycaemic. A decoction, known as 'agua de tiempo' is used to treat the characteristic symptoms of diabetic patients[
1876- Title
- Iridoides adicionales de la planta medicinal Astianthus viminalis y su actividad hipoglucemiante y antihiperglucemia
- Publication
- Rev. Soc. Quím. Méx. Vol. 45, Núm. 4 (2001) 195-199
- Author
- Meckes M. et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant is said to have antitumor properties[
1207- Title
- Flora del Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/118975#/summary
- Publisher
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Year
- 1993 - 2015
- ISBN
- 968-36-3108-8
- Description
- An excellent flora (in Spanish) of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán biosphere reserve in southeastern Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet
].
Other Uses
The fibrous bark is used for cordage[
454- Title
- Useful Fiber Plants of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dodge C.R.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- USDA; Washington.
- Year
- 1897
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. There is some doubt about this record since, although it is listed under Bignonia viminalis (which is a synonym of this species), it describes the plant as a vigorous climber with tendrils, whilst this species is actually a medium-sized tree[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
