Common Name:

General Information

Gmelina elliptica is a spiny, evergreen shrub or small tree, sometimes with straggling growth, that can grow up to 13 metres tall but is more likely to be from 1 - 5 metres tall. The bole can be up to 25cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. The plant is cultivated throughout the tropics as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Open secondary vegetation, especially near the coast, along roads and in other open sites, sometimes forming dense thickets; in Java at elevations from sea-level up to 500 metres[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun or partial shade, preferring a moist but well-drained soil[]. Found in the wild on sandy, sandy loam or sandy clay soils, often poor; sometimes also found over basalt or limestone[].
Although we have seen no reports of invasiveness, there is a report that this shrubby, thorny tree could be a problem if introduced to islands where it is not native[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The sap from the leaves or fruits is used as ear drops in earache[].

An infusion of the slightly crushed fruits is applied as an eye lotion[, ]. The fruit rubbed with lime and garlic is vigorously applied to the body in cases of dropsy[].

The leaves or roots may be applied to wounds. The uses probably reflect its activity as a rubefacient[].

In Peninsular Malaysia, the plant is chiefly used in poultices for headache and swellings[].

Other Uses

The wood is hard[].

Propagation

Seed -
Air layering.
Cuttings.

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