Common Name:

General Information

Eriotheca pentaphylla is an evergreen tree with a dense, fairly narrow, roundish crown; it can grow 8 - 14 metres tall. The straight, more or less cylindrical bole can be 30 - 45cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre and wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Atlantic rainforest, favouring the more open areas of secondary growth, often in the understorey. It is most commonly found in fertile, clayey soils, on both slopes and on plains, in dry to fairly wet soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	11.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to moderate shade[]. Tolerant of dry to fairly wet soils, preferring fertile, clayey soils[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is used to make rustic ropes[].

The wood is medium-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, soft to cut, with poor mechanical properties and not durable. It is only used for low value items such as fillings for doors, linings, toys and boxes[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate of less than 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 14 - 21 days[]. When the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 5 - 6 months later[].

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