Common Name:

General Information

Colubrina arborescens is an evergreen shrub with multiple stems, or a tree with a spreading crown; it sometimes grows as tall as 25 metres but is more commonly 3 - 4.5 metres tall. The bole can be as little as 5cm in diameter, but in larger trees is 20 - 30cm[, , ].
The bark of this species is second in importance to Colubrina elliptica, both species being used to make a popular tonicdrink in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands[, ]. The drink is often sold in local markets as well as by street sellers[]. The wood is used locally, whilst the tree is also often planted as an ornamental and to provide shade[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

C. America - Panama to southern Mexico; Caribbean - Leeward Islands to Cuba and the Bahamas; SE. N. America - Florida.

Habitat

Common in damp thickets and forest of the Pacific plains, also in Alta Verapaz, usually below 350 metres, but occasionally up to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier to moist lowland areas in the tropics and subtropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 600 metres. It grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall can range from 750 - 2,500mm[].
Grows well in full sun and also in the partial shade of low forest or broken, high forest[]. Succeeds in a wide range of well-drained soils, including soils of all textures[]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5 - 8[]. It is often found in both moist sites and dry areas, especially in excessively drained sites[]. It can tolerate droughts, but defoliates during prolonged droughts[]. It is tolerant of salt sprays and moderate amounts of salt in the soil[].
Growth is slow in the drier areas of its range, becoming moderate in the moister areas[].
The plant can flower all year round in parts of its range[].

Edible Uses

The bark is steeped in water to make a cooling, fermented drink known as 'mabi champan'[]. Bitter and stimulating[]. It is considered to be a good tonic[].

Medicinal

A tea made from the leaves and the wood is used as a remedy for rheumatism while the extract is used in
antiseptic baths[].
A decoction made from the boiled wood, mixed with milk, is used to build up the blood, especially after childbirth[].

A bark tea, combined with anise, nutmeg, mace and sugar, is considered diuretic[]. The tea is also considered
an aphrodisiac[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

The shiny seeds of this and related species have been made into necklaces and similar ornaments[, ].

The bark contains various tannins, alkaloids and saponins[].

The heartwood is yellowish brown; the sapwood is whitish or light brown. The wood is hard, heavy, strong, and durable. It is used chiefly for posts, and formerly for piling because of its resistance to decay in water. It is also employed in general carpentry and construction where sufficiently large pieces are available[, , , ].
The wood is an excellent fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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: a square has how many sides?