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Useful Tropical Plants

Dombeya merika

Arènes

Malvaceae

+ Synonyms

Dombeya coursii Arènes

Common Name: Hafotra Merika

No Image.

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 StatusEndangered
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height15.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

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.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dombeya+merika>

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