Common Name:

General Information

Isertia hypoleuca is an evergreen tree with a dense, pyramidal or elongate crown; it can grow 6 - 12 metres tall. The straight bole often branches from low down, it can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. An excellent pioneer species for restoring native woodland and establishing woodland gardens, it is also ornamental when in bloom and can be used in landscaping[].

Known Hazards

The leaves can be poisonous[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

Habitat

Amazon rainforest, in areas not subject to seasonal inundation, most commonly found as a colonizer in open areas and secondary formations[]..

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to moderate shade[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
The plant can flower all year round[].
Young plants have a fast rate of growth[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaves is said to have anti-asthmatic properties but in high doses may be poisonous[].
The powdered leaves are applied to sores of the lip which appear to be herpes[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A natural pioneer species, it is usually one of the first woody species to grow in cleared land. A fast-growing plant, it can be used in reforestation projects to restore native woodland and also to establish woodland gardens[, ].

Other Uses

The wood is fine and uniform-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy, soft and easy to work, flexible, with moderate mechanical properties and not very durable when exposed to the elements. It is only used locally, for purposes such as rustic constructions[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 50 - 80 days[]. When the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 5 months later[].

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