Entada polyphylla
Benth.
Fabaceae
This species is closely related to Entada polystachya, and is included in that species by some authorities[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Entada polystachya polyphylla (Benth.) Barneby
Entadopsis polyphylla (Benth.) Britton
Pusaetha polyphylla (Benth.) Kuntze
Common Name:
General Information
Entada polyphylla is variable in habit, ranging from a climbing shrub to a shrub or small tree growing up to 6.5 metres tall. The branches are armed with small spines[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. When growing as a tree it has an open crown, the bole can be straight or inclined and free of limbs for up to 2.5 metres[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a source of resin and timber.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
Range
S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, the Guyanas.
Habitat
Rare in riverine forests and forest margins in the Guyanas[
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
]. Common in thickets or along the edge of
savannah at elevations up to 420 metres in northern Peru[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 5.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
A warm decoction of the seeds is valued as a gargle in cases of extreme nasal and pulmonary congestion as a result of severe catarrhal attacks[
563- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 25
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Botanical Museum; Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains an article on medicinal and poisonous plants in the Amazon. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Other Uses
A slightly sweet, pale yellow resin is obtained from the tree[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is sometimes used as a black dye[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The yellowish-white wood darkens to yellowish brown on exposure to sunlight[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is lustrous; has no distinctive odour or taste; straight-grained; medium-textured; light in weight, but compact and firm; slightly fibrous; easy to work; and takes a smooth finish ; susceptible to insect attacks[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
