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Useful Tropical Plants

Memecylon elaeagni

Blume

Melastomataceae

+ Synonyms

Memecylon pervilleanum Naudin

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Memecylon elaeagni is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 8 metres tall[
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.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.
The species is endemic to the Seychelles, where it is locally abundant and natural regeneration is good in most habitat types. There are no major threats to this plant at the moment, it is therefore classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
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

None known

Botanical References


Range

Africa - Seychelles.

Habitat

An understorey plant in forests and scrub, also found on exposed, rocky outcrops; mainly at low elevations, but ascending to around 900 metres[
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.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height5.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


We have no specific information for this species, but in general the species in this genus succeed in full sun or in partial shade, growing best in a moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil[
974
Title
Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants
Publication
 
Author
Ahmed Fayaz
Publisher
Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand
Year
2011
ISBN
978-1-55407-489
Description
A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
].
The species has a very high phenotypic plasticity: it is very variable in size and shape of the leaves and flowers due to exposure and altitude. It spreads well after fires. Its fruits are eaten and most probably dispersed by frugivores. Due to its remarkable phenotypic plasticity this species grows in a great variety of habitats with a preference for dry places and glacis habitats[
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.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is very hard and has traditionally been used for making pestles for the mills of coconut oil[
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.
].
We have no more specific information for this species, but in general the wood of Memecylon species is usually white to brown, very dense and heavy, sinking in water. It is also often very durable. Where the wood gets large enough it is often used traditionally for purposes such as poles, house posts, lumber and furniture[
1032
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1980
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this edition includes a revision of the Asian section of the genus Memecylon
].
The wood of many species in the genus has a high calorific value and is often favoured as a fuel and for making charcoal[
1032
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1980
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this edition includes a revision of the Asian section of the genus Memecylon
].

Propagation

Seed -
Air layering
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-05-19. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Memecylon+elaeagni>

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