Common Name:

General Information

Galbulimima belgraveana is an evergreen tree with a densely compact crown; it can grow 15 - 36 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for 10 - 25 metres, 30 - 50cm in diameter, sometimes deeply fluted or with buttresses up to 3 metres high and 1 metre wide at the base[, ].
The tree is a rich source of alkaloids and is harvested from the wild for local use as a hallucinogenic. It is also the source of a decorative wood - this is traded commercially, though only in small quantities[].

Known Hazards

The extremely bitter-tasting bark is poisonous[].

Botanical References

Range

Australasia - New Guinea, Bismarck and Solomon Islands, northeast Australia.

Habitat

A canopy tree, locally common in primary rain forest, found on hill slopes and ridges at elevations up to 2,700 metres, but mostly from 1,000 - 2000 metres. In montane forest found in association with Nothofagus and also common in Fagaceae forest[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Leaves and bark contain alkaloids which are both narcotic and hallucinogenic, and are used in New Guinea in combination with the leaves of a Homalomena species (Araceae)[].
The bark is brewed into a tea and taken internally. It produces intoxication, which is followed by a deep sleep during which visions are experienced[].

The fruit has also narcotic properties and is chewed[].

The fruits and other parts (leaves, bark etc) contain alkaloids and the family is one of the most alkaloid-rich groups among the Angiosperms[].
The species is a rich source of alkaloids that cause intoxication followed by hallucinations. The level of alkaloids is such that pigeons feeding on the fruits in New Guinea are reported to have sufficient levels of the hallucinogens in their flesh to produce a reaction in anyone dining on them[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is off-white to pale brown; the sapwood is white. The wood has a fragrant odour when fresh, though this is rarely persistant in dry material. It is of moderate strength, moderately hard, non-durable, the sapwood being susceptible to lyctus. Shrinkage upon seasoning is low. Its rotary peeling is good. A lightweight to medium-weight hardwood, it is a useful, decorative timber. The wood is used for light framing, moulding, dowels, interior trim, wall panelling, cabinet work, joinery, plywood, clog soles, boat building, fruit cases and brushware[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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