Common Name:

General Information

Dombeya lucida is a shrub or a tree that usually grows around 5 - 10 metres tall but can reach up to 20 metres. The bole can be up to 40cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre and wood. It has ornamental value for its flowers[].
Dombeya lucida is recorded within seven protected areas in Madagascar. Even though it is affected by habitat loss due to a range of human activities, the survivalof the species does not seem to be threatenedI The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - northern, eastern and central Madagascar

Habitat

Humid forests, along rivers and in swamps; at elevations from sea level to 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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

A fibre obtained from the bark is used for cordage and weaving. The fibre is usually extracted after retting, and then combed[]. The fibrous material is also used for wickerwork[]. The quality of the fibre can be variable[].
The bark is used as a tying material[]..

The dark heartwood is normally distinctly demarcated from the paler, cream-coloured sapwood, but in young trees both may have the same white or pink colour. The wood is light in weight, soft and easy to work, with an average stability in service. It is very liable to attacks by fungi, termites and other insects. The wood is locally used for construction and for purposes where ease of working is more important than durability. It is considered suitable for non-visible parts of furniture, interior trim, boxes and other forms of packaging, but the relative small size of the logs is limiting its usability[].
The wood is used as fuelwood[].

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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