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Useful Tropical Plants

Myrcianthes leucoxyla

(Ortega) McVaugh

Myrtaceae

+ Synonyms

Amyrsia foliosa (Kunth) Raf.

Eugenia foliosa (Kunth) DC.

Myrcianthes foliosa (Kunth) McVaugh

Myrtus foliosa Kunth

Myrtus leucoxyla Ortega

Common Name: Arrayán

Myrcianthes leucoxyla
Flowering branch - this tree is either Myrcianthes leucoxyla or very close to it.
Photograph by: Quimbaya
Creative Commons License
Myrcianthes leucoxyla Myrcianthes leucoxyla Myrcianthes leucoxyla Myrcianthes leucoxyla

General Information

Myrcianthes leucoxyla is an evergreen shrub or a small tree with a dense, globose crown; it usually grows around 0.5 - 6 metres tall but can reach 10 metres occasionally[
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.
,
434
Title
Flora of Peru
Publication
 
Author
Macbride. J.F.
Publisher
Field Museum of Natural History
Year
1936
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent attempt at a Flora of Peru, though it is clear that many of the plants were imperfectly known at that time and so information on them was sketchy. Available for download from the Internet.
,
504
Title
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 24
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1931
ISBN
 
Description
A treatment of the edible fruits of Ecuador is jut one of the articles in this publication. It can be downloaded from the internet.
,
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is valued locally for its edible fruit and is often cultivated in its native range, though more as an ornamental vsalued for its form and aroma than as a fruit crop[
504
Title
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 24
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1931
ISBN
 
Description
A treatment of the edible fruits of Ecuador is jut one of the articles in this publication. It can be downloaded from the internet.
,
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].
Myrcianthes leucoxyla has a wide distribution and, although its habitat is under threat in many areas, there is no evidence that the species is threatened globally. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[
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

434
Title
Flora of Peru
Publication
 
Author
Macbride. J.F.
Publisher
Field Museum of Natural History
Year
1936
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent attempt at a Flora of Peru, though it is clear that many of the plants were imperfectly known at that time and so information on them was sketchy. Available for download from the Internet.

Range

Northern S. America - Peru, Colombia, Venezuela.

Habitat

Cloud forest and dry to very moist montane forests, growing at the forest edge and in pastures at higher elevations; at elevations between 1,600 - 3,200 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.
,
504
Title
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 24
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1931
ISBN
 
Description
A treatment of the edible fruits of Ecuador is jut one of the articles in this publication. It can be downloaded from the internet.
,
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height3.00 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details


Requires a sunny position, thriving in most well-drained soils. Seedlings and young plants grow best in a shady position and in a rich moist soil2157].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
2110
Title
Wild edible fruits of Colombia: diversity and use prospects
Publication
Biota Colombiana 22 (2) - 2021
Author
López-Diago D. & García N.
Website
https://doi.org/10.21068/c2021.v22n02a02
Publisher
 
Year
2021
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. A delicate texture with a pleasant, sub-acid flavour[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. Somewhat suggestive of a grape[
504
Title
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 24
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1931
ISBN
 
Description
A treatment of the edible fruits of Ecuador is jut one of the articles in this publication. It can be downloaded from the internet.
]. The dark purple fruits have a thin skin surrounding a whitish, juicy pulp[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
504
Title
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 24
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1931
ISBN
 
Description
A treatment of the edible fruits of Ecuador is jut one of the articles in this publication. It can be downloaded from the internet.
]. The fruit is an orange ro red, globose berry about 7 - 10mm in diameter with a single seed[
434
Title
Flora of Peru
Publication
 
Author
Macbride. J.F.
Publisher
Field Museum of Natural History
Year
1936
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent attempt at a Flora of Peru, though it is clear that many of the plants were imperfectly known at that time and so information on them was sketchy. Available for download from the Internet.
,
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
]. Up to 25mm[
504
Title
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 24
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1931
ISBN
 
Description
A treatment of the edible fruits of Ecuador is jut one of the articles in this publication. It can be downloaded from the internet.
].

Essential oils obtained from the leaves and fruits can be used as food flavourings[
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].

Medicinal

The entire plant is used to cure and alleviate different ailments. for example,
A concoction of the leaves is used to treat diarrhoea, relieve stomach pain, headache, calm the nerves and to relieve toothache[
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].

A concoction or an infusion of the bark is used to combat diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, as a treatment against herpes and to cure ulcers[
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has high potential as a pioneer species for re-establishing woodland - it often establishes itself in favourable micro-sites in areas of severe erosion and on rocky outcrops[
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].
Considered to be of high ecological importance, it is used in restoration projects in areas of severe erosion (wet spots and strips), to protect springs,etc and is planted to form natural corridors for birds etc[
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].

Other Uses

Essential oils obtained from the leaves and fruits can be used in cosmetic products[
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].

The wood is hard and durable. A good quality wood, it has been used for a variety of purposes including the manufacture of tool handles, poles, bowls, rustic doors and construction in general[
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].

Propagation

Seed - it has a very short viability of around 2 days after being extracted from the fruit. Fresh seed will usually germinate within 5 - 14 days of sowing[
2157
Title
Especies útiles en la Región Andina de Colombia Tomo 1
Publication
 
Author
Gutiérrez R.H.C. et al
Publisher
Bogotá, D. C., Colombia
Year
2009
ISBN
978-958-97749-2-2
Description
Detailed treatment of around 20 useful plants from the Andes of Colombia. (in Spanish)
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-14. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Myrcianthes+leucoxyla>

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