Common Name:

General Information

Metrodorea nigra is an evergreen tree with a dense, flat-topped crown; it can grow 4 - 5 metres tall. The short bole can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern and northern Brazil.

Habitat

An understorey plant of the Atlantic rainforest and broadleaved semideciduous forests, found almost exclusively in dense primary formations, favouring moist, lowland areas in valleys and at the foot of slopes[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.50 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in the shade of woodland[]. Prefers a moist soil[].
A slow-growing plant, reaching a height of up to 1.5 metres within 2 years from seed[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is antipyretic and tonic[].

Other Uses

The wood is moderately heavy, hard, compact, with reasonable mechanical properties but of low durability. It is only used for internal purposes in construction as linings, parquet, stays, base boards, frames etc[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate in excess of 30% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days[]. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 10 - 11 months later[].

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