Common Name: Paper Flower

General Information

Paper flower is a spiny, evergreen plant, varying in habit from a shrub to a tree, or becoming a climbing shrub producing stems up to 7 metres or more long[, ]. When in a more tree form it has a very dense ellipsoid crown[]. The plant can support itself on other plants by means of thorns carried in the leaf axils, though in cultivation it might need tying in to pergolas etc[].
The plant has local medicinal uses, whilst it is also often used as a formal hedge or ground cover. It is widely grown as an ornamental from the warm temperate to the tropical zones, and is often grown in greenhouses in climates that are unsuitable for it.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern and central Brazil.

Habitat

Forest and scrubland[]. Atlantic rainforest and semideciduous forests, in both dense primary forest and more open, secondary growth; favouring moister soils and usually at elevations above 500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	7.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres, it can also be grown in warm temperate to subtropical areas. It is better adapted to areas lacking a distinct dry season and flowers more or less continuously in perpetually humid conditions[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 25°c, but can tolerate 10 - 38°c[]. It can be killed by temperatures of -1°c or lower[]. Plants can usually tolerate die back from a freeze, but will withhold blooms for a while[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 3,000mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Grows best in a moist, fertile soil[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[]. Plants need to remain moist while in growth, if allowed to dry out too much during this period, leaf drop may occur[]. They become more drought resistant when established[].
A fast-growing plant, easily reaching a height of 4 - 7 metres within 2 years from seed[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used medicinally[].

The leaves are considered to have antiinflammatory activity[]. The leaves are anthelmintic and antibacterial[].

The reported active compounds in the plant are pinitol, betacyanine, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is just as happy spreading horizontally or hanging downwards as it is climbing upward. It can be trimmed and grown as a formal hedge, or allowed to spread over the ground as a ground cover[, ].
The plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to exclude livestock and other animals; mark out land boundaries; whilst also providing a range of medicinal and other uses[].
A very fast-growing plant, it can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is light in weight, soft, porous and with a very low durability. It is only used for rural constructions and for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A low germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 50 days[]. Pot up the seedbed sown seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, being careful to give the least amount of disturbance to the roots as possible and plant out when they are 30cm or more tall.
Cuttings - they can be placed directly into their permanent position so long as it is not too exposed or excessively sunny and arid[].
Air layering.

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