Common Name:

General Information

Harpullia arborea is an evergreen shrub to a large tree with a dense, conical crown; it can grow up to 35 metres tall but is usually smaller. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 60 - 70cm in diameter and is free of branches for most of its length; it is slightly fluted or with small buttresses up to 3 metres high[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, leech repellent, soap substitute and source of a good quality wood. The wood is also traded for use as in high quality cabinet work[]. The tree is often grown in gardens, valued especially for its ornamental fruit[].

Known Hazards

The bark contains saponins and is used as a fish poison[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia to northeast Australia and the southwest Pacific.

Habitat

Usually well-drained primary forest, sometimes more open secondary formations; on ridges, slopes, and plains, in ravines, sometimes by or in swamps, on river banks, or by the coast, exceptionally in open vegetation; elevations up to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical regions. In a sheltered position, the tree can tolerate a small amount of frost[].
Prefers a position in full sun[]. Found in the wild on fertile soils of clay, loam, or sand, in limestone areas or on volcanic soils[]. Succeeds in any well-drained but moisture-retentive soil[]. Add additional organic matter to light soils[]. Grows best in a position sheltered from strong winds[].
A fast-growing tree[].
Plants can flower and produce fruit throughout the year[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The oil from the seeds is applied externally as remedy against rheumatism[, ].

An infusion of the pounded bark is drunk to allay pain[].

Other Uses

The tree contains saponins. The pounded bark, or sometimes the fruit, is used as a substitute for soap[, ].
The bark is used as protection against leeches[].

The heartwood is yellow-brown; it is not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The grain is fine, with beautiful markings. The wood is hard, medium weak, medium heavy and shrinks little on drying. It is used for high class cabinet work and furniture, house building, plywood, packing boxes etc[, ]

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water[].

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