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Useful Tropical Plants

Myristica cerifera

A.C.Sm.

Myristicaceae

+ Synonyms

Myristica kajewskii auct.

Common Name:

Myristica cerifera
Drawings of the plant
Photograph by: W.J.J.O. De Wilde; Review of Myristica in the Pacific; Blumea Vol. 38 No. 2, 1994
Creative Commons License

General Information

Myristica cerifera is an evergreen tree with a deep crown; it can grow from 7 - 40 metres tall. The bole is normally straight and cylindrical, rarely crooked[
1036
Title
Taxonomic Review of Myristica (Myristicaceae) in the Pacific
Publication
Blumea Vol. 38 pp 349 - 406
Author
de Wilde W.J.J.O.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
A review and revision of the species of Myristica growing in the pacific
].
The tree is harbested from the wild for its seed, which is used for caulking traditional canoes

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Pacific - Solomon Islands.

Habitat

Mostly in primary (and secondary) forest on well-drained soil, on crests and hill slopes, also coastal flatland, on limestone, riverbanks, rarely in swamp forest, and on inner edge of mangrove swamps; at elevations up to 300 metres[
1036
Title
Taxonomic Review of Myristica (Myristicaceae) in the Pacific
Publication
Blumea Vol. 38 pp 349 - 406
Author
de Wilde W.J.J.O.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
A review and revision of the species of Myristica growing in the pacific
].

Properties

Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height20.00 m
PollinatorsBees, Insects
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Members of this genus are mainly understorey and canopy trees of primary woodland. They need the shade of woodland, especially when young, though can often tolerate more open positions as they grow larger. They usually succeed on a range of soil types. Most species have a superficial root system and are best grown in positions sheltered from strong winds[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round[
1036
Title
Taxonomic Review of Myristica (Myristicaceae) in the Pacific
Publication
Blumea Vol. 38 pp 349 - 406
Author
de Wilde W.J.J.O.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
A review and revision of the species of Myristica growing in the pacific
].
Flowers are produced at the end of the branches[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The pounded seed is used for caulking canoes[
1036
Title
Taxonomic Review of Myristica (Myristicaceae) in the Pacific
Publication
Blumea Vol. 38 pp 349 - 406
Author
de Wilde W.J.J.O.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
A review and revision of the species of Myristica growing in the pacific
].

The red sap (kino), present in the bark of most species in this genus, can be used as a dye that gives a permanent brown stain[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

We have no specific information for this species, but the following is the general information for the wood of trees in this genus:-
The heartwood can be dark reddish brown to light yellow-brown or brown with occasional pink tinge and dark red-purple stripes; it is not clearly differentiated from the paler sapwood. A blood red core is found in some species. The grain is straight; the texture is rather fine to slightly coarse and even; somewhat lustrous; without characteristic odour or taste. Growth rings are distinct, demarcated by layers of terminal parenchyma. The wood is mostly soft or moderately hard and moderately heavy; it is not durable, but is easily treated with preservatives. The wood dries rather slowly but with little degrade, though thin stock tends to warp. It is easy to work with, but sometimes easily splitting; planning is easy, with a smooth to moderately smooth finish; drilling and turning are easy with a smooth finish; nailing properties are generally good with some tendency to splitting. A light hardwood, it is mainly used for light construction work, partitioning, flooring, wall-panelling, moulding and other types of interior finishing, and for making tool-handles, woodcrafts, match boxes and splints, packing cases, crates, and household utensils. It is also suitable for manifacturing plywood, rotary veneer and wrapping and writing papers[
316
Title
Tropical Timbers of the World. Ag. Handbook No. 607.
Publication
 
Author
Chudnoff. Martin.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service. Wisconsin.
Year
1984
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details on the properties of the wood of almost 400 species of trees from the Tropics.
,
899
Title
Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak Vols 1 - 6
Publication
 
Author
Soepadmo E.; Saw L.G.; Chung R.C.K. (Editors)
Publisher
Forest Research Institute Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur.
Year
2002
ISBN
983-2181-27-5
Description
A flora of the woody plants of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, often giving details of plant uses.
].

Propagation

Seed - dries out easily, loses its viability rapidly, and cannot be stored. It is best sown in a shaded position in a nursery seedbed - germination is usually fairly quick with the seed of most species sprouting within 2 - 17 weeks[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
,
1034
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 23
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1968
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this one contains a revision of the genus Myristica.
]. Grow the young plants on in a shady position, planting them out in their permanent positions when large enough.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-06. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Myristica+cerifera>

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