Common Name:

General Information

Dombeya decanthera is sometimes a shrub or more commonly a small tree that can grow up to 12 metres tall with a bole around 10cm in diameter[, ]. The subspecies farafanganica is recorded as growing up to 30 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use of its fibre and wood.
Dombeya decanthera is threatened by habitats loss due to logging and slash and burn which are continuously practiced. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - southeast Madagascar

Habitat

Humid forests, on lateritic soils; at elevations from near sea level to 458 metres, perhaps occasionally to 1,000 metres[, ]

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are found in the wild on thin soils and gneiss[]. In cultivation, species in this genus generally grow best in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil and a position in full sun or partial shade[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Fibre from the bark is used for making rope. Properly prepared, it can be woven in the same way as jute. The bark was formerly made into barkcloth[].

The wood is used for making poles and posts[]. (This refers to subspecies latipetala).

Propagation

Seed is very small but can be extracted from fully ripened, dry flower heads. Its viability declines within 3 months, so fresh seed has to be used for sowing. Seed is to be sown in properly drained seedbeds. Seedlings emerge in about 3 weeks[].
Cuttings of semi-ripe wood, preferably with some bottom heat to encourage rooting[].

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