Casearia ilicifolia
(Sw.) Vent.
Salicaceae
Anavinga ilicifolia (Sw.) Raf.
Samyda ilicifolia (Sw.) Poir.
Valentinia ilicifolia Sw.
Common Name:
General Information
Casearia ilicifolia is a shrub or a tree that can grow up to 6 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Caribbean - Haiti, Dominican Republic
Habitat
Dry forests.
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 4.00 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
The fruit is a capsule containing a number of seeds that are surrounded by a fleshy aril[
1715- Title
- O Gênero Casearia Jacq. No Brasil
- Publication
- Rev. Biol. Neotrop. 13(1): 69-249. 2016
- Author
- Marquete R. & Mansana V.F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2016
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. We have no specific reports of edibility for this species, but the aril of several species in this genus are known to be edible and, unless it is very bitter, in an emergency the aril of this species is likely to supply a tiny bit of nutriment[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
The leaves have been shown to have an antifertility effect[
1727- Title
- The genus Casearia: a phytochemical and pharmacological overview
- Publication
- Phytochem Rev (2015) 14: 99.
- Author
- Li Xia; Qiang Guo; Pengfei Tu & Xingyun Chai
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-014-9336-6
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 1568-7767
- Description
-
]. They work principally as an emmenagogue, being used at higher doses to procure an abortion up to the third or fourth month[
1728- Title
- Plants of Haiti used as Antifertility Agents
- Publication
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 6 (1982) 61 - 84
- Author
- Weniger B. et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1982
- ISBN
- 0378-8741
- Description
-
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
The seed of species in this genus often has a short period of viability and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe. The seed is collected when the fruits start to open - leave them in the sun to open completely to release the seed, then rinse the seed in water to remove the arils[
]. Sow the seed in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed, only just covering the seed, and keep moist. Germination rates vary, but can usually be expected to be low, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 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.
]. When the seedlings are 3 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out a few 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.
].
Cuttings.
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
