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Useful Tropical Plants

Dombeya rotundifolia

(Hochst.) Planch.

Malvaceae

+ Synonyms

Assonia cuanzensis Hiern

Assonia huillensis Hiern

Dombeya cerasiflora Exell

Dombeya condensiflora De Wild.

Dombeya cuanzensis (Hiern) Welw. ex K.Schum.

Dombeya damarana K.Schum.

Dombeya delevoyi De Wild.

Dombeya densiflora Planch. ex Harv.

Dombeya dinteri Schinz

Dombeya gossweileri Exell

Dombeya huillensis (Hiern) K.Schum.

Dombeya melanostigma K.Schum. & Engl.

Dombeya myriantha K.Schum.

Dombeya quinqueseta auct.

Dombeya ringoetii De Wild.

Dombeya subdichotoma De Wild.

Xeropetalum rotundifolium Hochst.

Common Name: Wild Pear

Dombeya rotundifolia
Plant in leaf
Photograph by: JMK
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Dombeya rotundifolia Dombeya rotundifolia Dombeya rotundifolia Dombeya rotundifolia Dombeya rotundifolia Dombeya rotundifolia

General Information

Dombeya rotundifolia is a much-branched, deciduous shrub or a small tree with a light and usually rounded crown; usually growing up to 9 metres tall with occasional specimens to 15 metres[
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.
,
308
Title
Flora Zambesiaca
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants.
,
466
Title
Useful Plants of Nyasaland
Publication
 
Author
Williamson J.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland.
Year
1955
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details of the uses of almost 500 species of plants.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild mainly for local medicinal use and for its timber. It has ornamental value and is an excellent avenue tree. It can be trained as a bonsai[
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 plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[
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

308
Title
Flora Zambesiaca
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants.

Range

Eastern and southern Africa - Ethiopia, south to Angola, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland.

Habitat

Grassland, woodland and forest, often on termite mounds, usually at elevations from 1,000 - 2,250 metres, but descending almost to sea level in the south of its range[
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.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitDeciduous Tree
Height8.00 m
PollinatorsBees
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Mature plants can tolerate at least some frost[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
,
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.
].
Grows best in a sunny position[
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.
]. Established plants are drought tolerant[
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.
]. 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.
].
A fast-growing tree, it can grow 1 - 1.5 metres in a year[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
,
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.
].
Mature trees have a dark brown, very rough and corky bark that forms a protective, fire resistant layer around the trunk[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
1321
Title
Swaziland's Flora - siSwati Names and Uses
Publication
 
Author
Chris Long
Website
http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/chrislong.asp
Publisher
 
Year
2005
ISBN
 
Description
A basic, but very long, list of names and uses.
]. I am somewhat dubious of this report - the plant produces a seed capsule[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Flowers - cooked and eaten as a side dish to which pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita spp.) are sometimes added[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

Medicinal

Dombeya rotundifolia is often used in traditional medicine and research has shown the presence of a number of medically active compounds in the plant. Tannins are present in the leaf and young shoot, saponins in the bark, and cardiac glycosides in the leaf, shoot and bark[
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.
].
Ethanolic and dichloromethane extracts of the leaves and young shoots have shown anti-inflammatory activity; antibacterial activity was highest in the ethanolic extracts[
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 roots are used as a general purgative[
1321
Title
Swaziland's Flora - siSwati Names and Uses
Publication
 
Author
Chris Long
Website
http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/chrislong.asp
Publisher
 
Year
2005
ISBN
 
Description
A basic, but very long, list of names and uses.
]. A decoction is drunk as a treatment against stomach pain. An infusion is drunk to treat syphilis, and the root is also used in the treatment of infertility[
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 boiled root is pounded and soaked in water, and the liquid is drunk by children to treat diarrhoea[
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.
].
Boiled roots are applied externally to treat rheumatism[
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.
].

A bark decoction is drunk in the treatment of dizziness, meningitis, chest complaints, palpitations, cardiac weakness, fever, irregular periods, to hasten the onset of labour, and against nausea in pregnant women[
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.
].

Infusions of the bark, wood, stems, leaves or roots are taken orally or applied as enema to treat intestinal ulcers, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea and stomach problems[
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 leaves are used in the treatment of headaches[
1321
Title
Swaziland's Flora - siSwati Names and Uses
Publication
 
Author
Chris Long
Website
http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/chrislong.asp
Publisher
 
Year
2005
ISBN
 
Description
A basic, but very long, list of names and uses.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are visited by bees that use the nectar to produce pale amber-coloured honey[
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.
].

Other Uses

The bark from young shoots is made into rope[
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.
,
466
Title
Useful Plants of Nyasaland
Publication
 
Author
Williamson J.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland.
Year
1955
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details of the uses of almost 500 species of plants.
,
1321
Title
Swaziland's Flora - siSwati Names and Uses
Publication
 
Author
Chris Long
Website
http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/chrislong.asp
Publisher
 
Year
2005
ISBN
 
Description
A basic, but very long, list of names and uses.
].

The wood is bluish grey; the grain is interlocked; the texture fine. The wood is heavy, strong, tough and durable[
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.
]. It has limited potential as a general purpose timber, however, because the pieces available are usually too small and twisted[
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 and the strong but flexible branches are made into furniture, poles, mine props, bows, tool handles and ornaments[
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.
,
466
Title
Useful Plants of Nyasaland
Publication
 
Author
Williamson J.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland.
Year
1955
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details of the uses of almost 500 species of plants.
,
1321
Title
Swaziland's Flora - siSwati Names and Uses
Publication
 
Author
Chris Long
Website
http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/chrislong.asp
Publisher
 
Year
2005
ISBN
 
Description
A basic, but very long, list of names and uses.
].
The wood can be used for fuel[
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.
].

Propagation

Seed - sow in deep seed trays in a semi-shaded position, The seed usually germinates within 3 weeks[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
,
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.
]. Prick out the seedlings into individual containers once the first true leaves have formed and grow on in light shade[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
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+rotundifolia>

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