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Useful Tropical Plants

Ilex vismiifolia

Reissek

Aquifoliaceae

+ Synonyms

Ilex andarensis Loes.

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Ilex vismiifolia is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can range in height from 1.5 - 30 metres[
2069
Title
Les Aquifoliaceae péruviennes: éléments pour une révision des Aquifoliaceae néotropicales
Publication
Boissiera 48 (1994)
Author
Loizeau A.
Website
http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-895414
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève
Year
1994
ISBN
2-8277-0064-6
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine
Ilex vismiifolia has a large distribution and no known threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

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[
274
Title
Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Publication
 
Author
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Website
http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher
Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
Year
1999
ISBN
1-889878-01-4
Description
An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
,
293
Title
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes.
,
2070
Title
Genus Ilex L.: Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, and Pharmacology
Publication
Chinese Herbal Medicines, 2016, 8(3): 209-230
Author
Fan Yi, Xiao-ling Zhao, Yong Peng, Pei-gen Xiao
Website
http://10.1016/S1674-6384(16)60044-8
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
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[
293
Title
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes.
].
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)[
2070
Title
Genus Ilex L.: Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, and Pharmacology
Publication
Chinese Herbal Medicines, 2016, 8(3): 209-230
Author
Fan Yi, Xiao-ling Zhao, Yong Peng, Pei-gen Xiao
Website
http://10.1016/S1674-6384(16)60044-8
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. 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

2069
Title
Les Aquifoliaceae péruviennes: éléments pour une révision des Aquifoliaceae néotropicales
Publication
Boissiera 48 (1994)
Author
Loizeau A.
Website
http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-895414
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève
Year
1994
ISBN
2-8277-0064-6
Description
 

Range

S. America - Peru, Ecuador, northern Brazil, Guyana

Habitat

Rainforest and evergreen andean forest, on ground not subject to inundation; at elevations from 100 - 1,200 metres[
2069
Title
Les Aquifoliaceae péruviennes: éléments pour une révision des Aquifoliaceae néotropicales
Publication
Boissiera 48 (1994)
Author
Loizeau A.
Website
http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-895414
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève
Year
1994
ISBN
2-8277-0064-6
Description
 
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height8.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Ilex species generally tolerate most soils that are not water-logged[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are requiredp2069].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaves is used for the treatment of headaches and flu[
2069
Title
Les Aquifoliaceae péruviennes: éléments pour une révision des Aquifoliaceae néotropicales
Publication
Boissiera 48 (1994)
Author
Loizeau A.
Website
http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-895414
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève
Year
1994
ISBN
2-8277-0064-6
Description
 
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-12. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ilex+vismiifolia>

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