Common Name: Boxwood

General Information

Casearia praecox is a small to medium-sized tree. The bole is well formed and cylindrical, it can be free of branches for 3 - 5 metres, and 15 - 30cm in diameter, occasionally to 45cm[, ].
A slow-growing tree with a dense, hard wood that is valued for specialist purposes such as musical instruments, engraving blocks, rulers etc[]. It is harvested from the wild for local use and trade.
Casearia praecox has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major
threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The fruit is a capsute containing several seeds. Although the capsule of some species (and possibly also the seeds contained therein) is somewhat toxic, the fleshy aril surrounding the seeds is a different matter and in some species (see information below on edibility to see if this is one of them) is often eaten and is considered to be perfectly wholesome[, ].

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Venezuela and Colombia; C. America - Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras; Caribbean - Cuba.

Habitat

Usually found on dry, chalky or rocky slopes[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
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[]. 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[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark, when freshly cut, exudes a dark gummy substance[].

The wood is lemon-yellow to almost white in colour with little or no difference between sapwood and heartwood. The texture is very fine and uniform; the grain usually straight; lustre is high; there is no distinctive odour or taste. The wood is hard and heavy; durability is poor, being susceptible to fungi and termites. It is easy to carve and turn; can be worked without difficulty; finishes very smoothly; takes a high polish; glues and stains well[]. A good substitute for European Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), the wood is used for engraving blocks, precision rulers, veneers, turnery, combs, shuttles, spindles, piano keys, inlay etc[, , ].

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[]. 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[].
Cuttings.

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