Common Name:

General Information

Dombeya mollis is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing around 6 metres tall, occasionally reaching 12 metres[, , , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. It is often planted or allowed to grow around villages because the fibre from its bark is considered very useful. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued for its flowers[].
Even though Dombeya mollis is recorded within three protected areas, the habitat is continuing to decline due to deforestation, logging, shifting agriculture and charcoal production. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Africa - central and eastern Madagascar

Habitat

Gallery, evergreen and disturbed forests, also in thickets of Lantana and brambles; at elevations from 100 - 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Semi-cultivated, 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

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is an important tree component of evergreen forest in highland Madagascar[].

Other Uses

The bark is used for tying, and the bark fibre for making rope and coarse textiles[]. Formerly the bark was beaten with a mallet to obtain barkcloth, later the fibre was extracted by crushing the bark, after which the fibre was combed or scutched, making it suitable for spinning and weaving[].

The soft, hairy leaves are used as toilet paper for children[].

The white wood is soft and light in weight. It works well. It is used for construction and for making a range of articles, such as mandolins, drums and other musical instruments, hollow cylinders for bellows in smithies and measuring tools for rice[].

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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