There are still considerable differences in the concept of species delineation within this genus. We are following the treatment of Marquete R. & Mansano Vidal F., in O Gênero Casearia Jacq. No Brasil[] for all the Brazilian species in this database[].

Common Name: Wild Sage

General Information

Casearia sylvestris is an evergreen shrub or small tree with long, slender branches and a very dense, globose crown. It is usually 4 - 6 metres tall, but can sometimes grow as high as 20 metres[, , ]. The short, straight, cylindrical bole can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is a popular herbal remedy in S. America where it is used in the treatment of various diseases and is used in some proprietary medicines and herbal tea mixtures. It is also occasionall used for food and is often used as a source of wood and fuel. The plant is mainly gathered from the wild for local use and trade, and is also sometimes planted in reforestation and wildlife restoration schemes.
Casearia sylvestris has a very wide distribution, a 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(2019)[].

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

S. America - Argentina and Uruguay, north through Brazil, Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Moist or dry forest or thickets, often in second growth, occasionally in cloud forest; mainly at low elevations but sometimes ascending to 1,200 metres[331.338]. A pioneer species of secondary forests and is characteristic of dryer forests[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun and in dappled shade[]. Tolerant of salty soils[].
A fast-growing plant, commencing flowering whan around 100cm tall[, ].
Plants can live around 20 years[].
Plants usually respond well to coppicing[].
The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round[, ].
The flowers smell like a mixture of honey and urine[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. The fruit is a globose to slighly flattened capsule around 3 - 4mm in diameter, containing 2 - 5 seeds wrapped in a yellow, edible glutinous aril[].

Anti-reumática,anti-sarna, antitérmica, cicatrizante, antidiarréica, anitfebril, afecções da pele

Medicinal

The bark and leaves are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, depurative, tonic and vulnerary[, ]. The leaves especially are used internally in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including inflammations, fevers, gastric ulcers and diarrhoea[, , ].
Externally, the leaves are used in the treatment of wounds and skin disorders[, , ].
The bark and leaf are said to protect against snake venom[].

The bark is useful against harmful and inflammatory fevers[].
The juice or decoction of the leaves has the same medicinal properties as the bark, as well as being an effective treatment against diarrhoes and herpetic diseases. It is used both internally and externally against snake bites[].

The macerated roots, or a decoction of them, are used in the treatment of wounds and leprosy[].

The oil from the seed is used in the treatment of leprosy[].

The leaves and young shoots contain several medicinally active compounds, including essential oils, caprionic acid, saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids[]. Laboratory experiments have confirmed antiseptic, antitumor, antiulser, and abortive activity[].
A crude extract of Caesaria sylvestris has inhibited phospholipase A2 activity in snake venoms and mitigated the hemorrhagic and myotoxic activities caused by crude venoms[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing natural pioneer species that provides food for several species of birds, it can be used in reforestation projects for restoring native woodland[, ].
The flowers are a good source of pollen for bees[].

Other Uses

The seeds are the source of a non-drying oil[]. It is a substitute for chaulmoogra oil, obtained from Hydnocarpus anthelmintica[].

The leaves contain around 2.5% essential oils with a pleasant aroma[]. They are used in perfumery[]

An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
An extract of the whole plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin protector[].

A resin that resembles amber can be obtained from the bark[]. It is used by native people to make lip ornaments[]

The heartwood is a dark, chocolate brown; the sapwood yellowish to light bown. The wood is said to be fine-textured, hard, moderately heavy, strong, compact, with poor resistance to wood-eating organisms, easy to split. It is used in some regions for construction purposes, lathe work, flooring blocks, boards, cabinet making etc when available in large enough pieces[, , , , ].
The wood is often used for fuel and also to make charcoal[, , ].

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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