Matayba purgans
(Poepp.) Radlk.
Sapindaceae
Common Name:
Drawing of the flowers, leaves, fruit and seed
Photograph by: Martius, C., Eichler, A.G., Urban, I., Flora Brasiliensis, vol. 13(3): fasicle 124, t. 120 (1900)
General Information
Matayba purgans is an evergreen tree with a spreading crown; it can grow from 5 - 8 metres tall. The slender, straight, often fluted bole usually branches from low down, around 60 - 90cm from the ground[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local medicinal uses.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela.
Habitat
Usually found in open areas of secondary growth, in sandy-loam soils amongst shrubs and small trees at elevations up to 450 metres[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 6.50 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The powdered seeds are used as a purgative[
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
].
Other Uses
The wood is pinkish when fresh, turning to a pale, reddish brown upon exposure; there is no sharp demarcation between the sap and heart woods. It is straight-grained or moderately so; uniformly fine- textured ; fairly heavy and tenacious; not difficult to work, takes a smooth finish with a golden lustre, and holds its place well; it is immune to stain and insects and appears to be durable[
453- Title
- Woods of Northeastern Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williams L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Gives information on the properties of the wood of well over 1,000 species of woody plants from northeastern Peru. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. No uses are mentioned[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
