There has been some confusion between this species and Hernandia sonora L., with some treatments viewing them as a single species (as H. Sonora) and others seeing them as distinct and with distinct ranges. Most recent treatments follow the latter concept. Because the ranges are distinct, it is often relatively easy to decipher which species is actually being discussed in older works[].

Common Name:

General Information

Hernandia guianensis is an evergreen tree with a small, rounded crown; it can grow 12 - 18 metres tall. The straight bole can be 40 - 60cm in diameter with basal prop roots[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern Brazil, Venezuela, the Guyanas; Caribbean - Trinidad.

Habitat

Rainforests, often in areas subject to seasonal inundation, favouring more open and secondary growth areas, usually near rivers and lakes[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to fairly deep, dappled shade[]. Requires a moist soil[]. Tolerant of seasonal inundation of the soil[].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The juice from the bark is used as a depilatory and to kill lice in the hair[].

The juice of young leaves is a mild depilatory[].

The flowers and the fruits are used in a decoction to remedy whooping cough[].

The bark, young leaves and seeds are mildly purgative[].

The seed is an ingredient in a purgative emulsion[].

The plant contains numerous alkaloids including hervonine, nandigerine, actinodaphnine and laurotetanine[].
Antitumor and cytostatic chemicals also occur[].

Other Uses

The juice from the bark is used as a depilatory[].
The juice of young leaves is a mild depilatory[].

The wood is coarse-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy, easy to cut and with a low resistance to wood-eating organisms. It is only used locally, in rural construction and for making plywood[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A low germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 40 days[].

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