Common Name:

General Information

Ilex cymosa is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metre tall. The bole can be 70cm or more in diameter, occasionally with small buttresses[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. The wood is sometimes harvested on a commercial basis. The tree is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Ilex cymosa has a very wide distribution and grows in a variety of habitat types. Although it is harvested for timber, this
is not thought to be at a rate that causes significant population decline. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

Although no specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, Ilex species in general contain several potentially toxic compounds, particularly saponins, glycosides and triterpenoids. These compounds also often have a range of potential health benefits[, , ].
The berries are usually the part of the plant most likely to be toxic, though the degree of toxicity is usually low. Their bitter flavour usually prevents a person eating more than one or two, but even a small handful of the fruit eaten by a healthy adult is unlikely to cause more than feelings of nausea that can lead on to vomiting and diarrhoea[].
The compounds in the leaves are particularly interesting. The leaves of many Ilex species around the world are commonly used to make health-promoting teas that, when drunk on a regular basis, help to regulate bodily functions and can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood-cholesterol levels etc (See Ilex paraguariensis or Ilex kaushue for examples)[]. Even these teas, however, if taken in very concentrated doses, can act as a laxative or cause vomiting. Indeed, several species are used by traditional peoples to induce vomiting as a means of purifying the body (see Ilex guayusa or Ilex vomitoria for examples)

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

Habitat

Locally common in coastal padang vegetation on white sandy soils, peat swamp, riverine and mangrove forests, and in mixed dipterocarp forests on hilltops and slopes; at elevations up to 750 metres, occasionally to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ilex species generally tolerate most soils that are not water-logged[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is said to have medicinal properties and is mainly used in the treatment of fevers[].

The leaves are used to treat sprains[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is white, darkening on exposure to yellow-brown, it is not differentiated from the sapwood. The density is medium, the grain is straight and the texture is fine but uneven due to the presence of the broad rays. The split surface has a considerable sheen. The timber is non-durable, subject to attacks by sapstain fungi., it is reported to season well with only slight splitting. This genus is rather rare in occurrence and coupled with its generally small size is very unlikely to be of any commercial importance. The timber has been tried successfully for match splints and may be a good furniture timber if available in large enough quantities[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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