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Useful Tropical Plants

Homalanthus novoguineensis

(Warb.) K.Schum.

Euphorbiaceae

+ Synonyms

Carumbium novoguineense Warb.

Homalanthus beguinii J.J.Sm.

Homalanthus brachystachys Pax & K.Hoffm.

Homalanthus crinitus Gage

Homalanthus elegans Gage

Homalanthus pachystylus Airy Shaw

Homalanthus tetrandrus J.J.Sm.

Common Name:

Homalanthus novoguineensis
Flowering branch (male flowers)
Photograph by: Australian National Botanic Gardens
Creative Commons License
Homalanthus novoguineensis Homalanthus novoguineensis Homalanthus novoguineensis Homalanthus novoguineensis

General Information

Homalanthus novoguineensis is a shrub or a tree that can grow up to 10 metres tall[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
]. The stem seldom exceeds 30cm in diameter[
713
Title
Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest.
].
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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Known Hazards

The plant is generally considered to be poisonous[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
].
The sap of the plant is very harmful to the eye[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
].

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[
713
Title
Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitTree
Height7.00 m
Growth RateFast
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details



A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seeds are required.
A fast-growing species[
713
Title
Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is generally considered to be poisonous, but has some medicinal applications[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
].

The new leaves and shoots are gently heated on a fire and then massaged on the stomach of children afflicted with spleen disorders[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
].
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[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
].

The bark scrapings are mixed with water and the solution drunk as a remedy for heartburn[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

This is a fast growing regrowth species, and is a natural pioneer promoting regeneration following major disturbance to the rainforest[
713
Title
Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest.
].

Other Uses

The wood is soft and very sappy[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Homalanthus+novoguineensis>

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