Casearia silvana
Schltr.
Salicaceae
Casearia comptonii Baker f.
Melistaurum distichum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
Common Name:
General Information
Casearia silvana is a single-stemmed, unbranched or slightly-branched, evergreen shrub[
538- Title
- Endemia.nc
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.endemia.nc/flore/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A web site focussing on the endemic flora and fauna of New Caledonia.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
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[
1438- Title
- Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
,
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Botanical References
Range
Pacific - New Caledonia
Habitat
Undergrowth of wet and dry forests, and in more open, scrubby areas, growing on more or less deep soils on various substrates[
538- Title
- Endemia.nc
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.endemia.nc/flore/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A web site focussing on the endemic flora and fauna of New Caledonia.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 0.00 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
All Casearia species in New Caledonia are considered to be depurative and tonic. A decoction of their leaves is given to children as a fortifier[
620- Title
- Les Plantes Medicinales de la Nouvelle Caledonie
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rageau J.
- Publisher
- O.R.S.T.O.M.; Paris.
- Year
- 1973
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very terse information on the medicinal uses of plants in New Caledonia.
].
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.
