Common Name:

General Information

Maytenus obtusifolia is a large tree growing up to 32 metres tall[]. The cylindrical bole is up to 1 metre in diameter[].
The leaves are a popular herbal remedy in Brazil, where they are commonly harvested from the wild. The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber, whilst its leaves are also used as a tea substitute.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, found at elevations up to 1,000 metres.

Edible Uses

An infusion of the leaves is used as a substitute for China tea (Camellia sinsnsis)[].

Medicinal

The leaves are a popular herbal medicine in Brazil, where they are used in the treatment of serious ulcers, general inflammations, cancer and also against external ulcers on the skin[].
Research has shown that the plant is an effective and safe treatment against ulcers, though the mechanism of action has not yet been determined[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is pale pink to pinky brown, the sapwood is white or gray[]. The wood is hard, heavy, very strong, easy to work but not durable when in contact with the soil[, ]. It is an excellent wood for general construction, and is also used for general carpentry and rural construction work[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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