Dombeya merika
Arènes
Malvaceae
Common Name: Hafotra Merika
General Information
Dombeya merika is an evergreen tree that can grow around 6 - 20 metres tall with a bole up to 30cm in diameter[
1949- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Dombeya Sect. Decastemon (Malvaceae)
- Publication
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 99(4):553-619. 2014.
- Author
- Applequist W.L.
- Website
- http:// http://dx.doi.org/10.3417/2011113
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A detailed revision of a section of this large genus.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre and wood.
Dombeya merika is threatened by habitat destruction due to logging, shifting agriculture and mining exploitation. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1949- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Dombeya Sect. Decastemon (Malvaceae)
- Publication
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 99(4):553-619. 2014.
- Author
- Applequist W.L.
- Website
- http:// http://dx.doi.org/10.3417/2011113
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A detailed revision of a section of this large genus.
Range
Africa - eastern Madagascar
Habitat
Humid forests, along riverbanks, often on sandy soils; at elevations from 600 - 900 metres[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
,
1949- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Dombeya Sect. Decastemon (Malvaceae)
- Publication
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 99(4):553-619. 2014.
- Author
- Applequist W.L.
- Website
- http:// http://dx.doi.org/10.3417/2011113
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A detailed revision of a section of this large genus.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Endangered |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 15.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | 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[
974- Title
- Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ahmed Fayaz
- Publisher
- Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 978-1-55407-489
- Description
- A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
A good quality fibre obtained from the bark is used for making ropes[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The wood is used for construction[
1949- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Dombeya Sect. Decastemon (Malvaceae)
- Publication
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 99(4):553-619. 2014.
- Author
- Applequist W.L.
- Website
- http:// http://dx.doi.org/10.3417/2011113
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A detailed revision of a section of this large genus.
].
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[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Cuttings of semi-ripe wood, preferably with some bottom heat to encourage rooting[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
