Helicostylis scabra
(J.F.Macbr.) C.C.Berg
Moraceae
Helicostylis asperifolia Ducke
Pseudolmedia scabra J.F.Macbr.
Common Name:
General Information
Helicostylis scabra is an evergreen tree.
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.
Known Hazards
The latex is said to be toxic[
625- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 3.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 85-86714-34-4
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Botanical References
Range
S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw. We have no specific details for this species, but the fruits of all members of this genus are edible[
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.
].
Medicinal
The latex is antifungal, bitter and vermifuge. Although believed to be toxic, it is taken internally in very small doses to alleviate cases of extreme intestinal parasitism[
697- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 29
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Some interesting notes on plant uses in tropical America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The latex is said to be bitter and is mixed with warm chicha (a kind of beer)[
697- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 29
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Some interesting notes on plant uses in tropical America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The latex is repeatedly painted and dried on infected parts of the skin to treat fungal diseases[
697- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 29
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Some interesting notes on plant uses in tropical America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The latex is applied to abrasions of the skin in the belief that it prevents infection[
762- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 26
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1978
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of botanical leaflets. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]..
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
