Common Name:

General Information

Cecropia hololeuca is an evergreen tree with a sparse, open crown; it can grow 6 - 12 metres tall. The bole can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its timber. It can also be grown as a pioneer plant. With its contrasting green and silvery foliage, the tree is one of the most beautiful in the Brazilian flora. It has wide potential for use in landscaping[].

Known Hazards

The branches and leaf petioles of Cecropia species are often hollow and can harbour stinging ants. The trees attract the ants by means of producing a honey-like sap and the ants respond by working to keep the tree free of leaf-eating pests - which can include humans[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Open spaces in primary rainforests, also in secondary formations, at elevations of 500 metres or more[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants in this genus generally prefer a sunny position in a well-drained soil[].
A fast-growing, but short-lived tree[]. Newly planted young trees can be 3 metres or more tall after 2 years[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Although we have seen no specific mention for this species, the fruits of many members of this genus are edible with a sweetish flesh[]. The finger-shaped, aggregate fruit can be 150mm or more long and 18mm wide[].

Medicinal

The leaves are astringent, strongly diuretic, emmenagogue and tonic[]. They are used in the treatment of leucorrhoea, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, dysentery, acute respiratory ailments, asthma and whooping cough[[].

The leaves are said to possess digitalis-like properties[]. This probably refers to digitalin, found in various Digitalis species, and having cardiac properties[].

Agroforestry Uses:

With their sparse canopy and attractive foliage that is green above and silver-felted below, members of this genus generally provide a dramatic canopy but only cast a very light shade, allowing other plants to be grown right up to the base of their trunk[]. Many members of the genus can be used as pioneer species when developing a new woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is light in weight, soft, of low durability and easy to cut[]. It is only used for low quality items such as matchsticks, boxes, pencils, toys, wooden clogs etc. Being light in weight, it can be used like balsa to make aeroplane models etc[].

Propagation

Seed - requires light to germinate. It can be sown in light shade in a nursery seedbed, but should not be covered, just lightly pressed into the soil[]. Germination rates are usually low, with the seed sprouting in 20 - 30 days[]. Transplant the seedlings to individual containers when they are 4 - 5cm tall and plant out 4 - 5 months later.
Greenwood cuttings in a frame with bottom heat.

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: if i have 3 bananas, and i eat them all, how many bananas did i just eat?