Common Name:

General Information

Cecropia pachystachya is a fast-growing, though small, evergreen tree growing up to 7 metres tall[]. The bole is 15 - 25cm in diameter[].
A popular traditional medicine in its native area, the tree is also harvested from the wild for its timber and fibre, which are used locally. It is also suitable as a pioneer species for re-establishing woodland and can also be grown as an ornamental[].

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 - Argentina, Paraguay, all regions of Brazil.

Habitat

Humid soils in forest edges and glades, growing better in secondary formations and rare or missing from dense primary forest[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical and subtropical areas, where it is found at elevations up to about 1,100 metres.
Prefers a sunny position and a well-drained soil[, ].
A fast-growing, but short-lived tree[].
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[].

Medicinal

The leaves are valued in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties and are often used to treat conditions such as rheumatism, kidney and lung inflammations. A tea made from the leaves is used to treat asthma and other upper respiratory complaints, as well as for diabetes[].
Applied externally, the tea has been used for sores on the mouth and tongue[].
A poultice of the large leaves is wrapped around bone fractures, bruises and wounds[].

The plant is known to contain glycosides, lipids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, cardenolids, triterpenes, polyphenols, steroids, and resins[].
Ambain (a glycoside) and cecropin (an alkaloid) are said to have cardiotonic and diuretic properties[].
The flavonoids and proanthocyanidins have been shown to exhibit hypotensive activity by promoting vasodilation and acting as a diuretic[].
Leaf extracts have demonstrated pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic activities[].
Water extracts of the leaf have been shown to lower blood sugar levels[].
The leaf has been reported to have in vitro antibacterial activity against various bacteria (such as Staphylococcus, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Shigella). Water extracts seemed to have much more biological activity against bacteria than methanol or ethanol extracts in vitro[].
An ethanol extract of the leaf and stem was reported to have in vitro antifungal activity, but water extracts were inactive (which suggests that antibacterial actions are derived from different chemicals than those providing antifungal actions)[].

The plant is widely used in modern herbalism, especially in the Americas. It is considered to be analgesic, antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypoglycaemic, hypotensive, mildly laxative and vasodilator[]. It is used for all types of respiratory complaints including asthma, bronchitis, coughs, whooping cough, and pneumonia; oedema, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, kidney disorders, high blood pressure, and to increase the contraction strength of the heart muscle; to facilitate childbirth and menstruation[].

The latex is considered corrosive and astringent. It is used topically against warts, calluses, herpes (and other venereal diseases), and skin ulcers[].

The bark is used to reduce mucus[].

The roots are used to treat bile complaints[].

The fruit is considered emollient[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing, small tree that is valuable to the local wildlife. It is able to invade unforested land and also regenerates well in cut-over forest. It thus makes an excellent native pioneer species for re-establishing woodland[, ].
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[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is used for making sails[].

The wood is light; soft to cut; with a smooth surface and of low natural durability[]. It is used for making toys, light boxes, wooden heels, pencils, plywood and cellulose paste[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a sunny seedbed as soon as it is ripe[]. The seed usually starts to sprout within 25 - 40 days, though germination rates are low[]. Pot the seedlings up into individual containers when they are 5 - 6cm tall[].
Greenwood cuttings in a frame[].

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