Common Name:

General Information

Homalanthus novoguineensis is a shrub or a tree that can grow up to 10 metres tall[]. The stem seldom exceeds 30cm in diameter[].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local medicinal use. It is an excellent natural pioneer and could be used in reforestation projects[].

Known Hazards

The plant is generally considered to be poisonous[].
The sap of the plant is very harmful to the eye[].

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - eastern Indonesia to New Guinea, northern Australia and the Solomon Islands

Habitat

Favoured by disturbance, the plant grows in such areas in well developed rain forest, though it is also found in rain forest margins, wet sclerophyll forest and swamp forest, at elevations from sea level to 1,000 metres in northern Australia[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	7.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seeds are required.
A fast-growing species[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is generally considered to be poisonous, but has some medicinal applications[].

The new leaves and shoots are gently heated on a fire and then massaged on the stomach of children afflicted with spleen disorders[].
The leaf sap is mixed with water and then drunk for three days as a strong contraceptive. It is said to be an effective contraceptive, although the woman continues to menstruate[].

The bark scrapings are mixed with water and the solution drunk as a remedy for heartburn[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This is a fast growing regrowth species, and is a natural pioneer promoting regeneration following major disturbance to the rainforest[].

Other Uses

The wood is soft and very sappy[].

Propagation

Seed -

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