Common Name:

General Information

Myrocarpus frondosus is a deciduous tree with an open, upright crown; it can grow 20 - 30 metres tall. The bole can be 60 - 90cm in diameter and unbranched for up to half of its height[, ].
The tree is highly valued for its timber and so is commonly harvested from the wild for local use and for trade. It also yields a medicinal resin that is commonly used in popular medicine. An ornamental tree, it is grown in parks and large gardens[].
In addition to being commonly harvested for its timber, this species is also greatly threatened by habitat loss. It is considered 'Threatened' in Argentina, but the exact situation is unclear and, as of 2012, the plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Atlantic rainforest and semideciduous forests, mature trees found most commonly as canopy or emergent trees in the dense forest, but seedlings and young trees only found in more open situations[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the subtropics to the tropics, being found in areas of seasonal rainfall and also all year rainfall, at elevations from near sea level to over 1,500 metres.
Requires a sunny position[].
Plants have a moderately fast rate of growth, able to reach a height of around 2.5 metres within 2 years from seed[].
There are conflicting reports on whether or not this tree has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, so it is unclear as to whether this tree fixes atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The sap is expectorant[].

The bark, the wood, and a resin obtained from them, are used in a tincture that is recommended for treating respiratory ailments, cystitis and urethritis[].
The tincture is applied externally for healing injuries and treating rheumatism[, ].

The seedpods are antidyspeptic and excitant[].

An essential oil in the resin has nerolidol as its major constituent[].

Other Uses

An aromatic gum/resin is obtained from incisions in the trunk. It is widely used medicinally[].
An essential oil obtained from the resin is used in perfumery[].

The wood is fragrant and is sometimes burnt during ceremonies and as an insect repellent[].

The heartwood is reddish-grey with yellowish spots; it is distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The wood is very aromatic, medium-textured, irregular-grained, heavy, hard to cut and of great durability even when exposed to the elements. It polishes well to give a beautiful finish. A very useful timber, it is widely employed for a great many purposes including for outdoor purposes such as bridge beams, railway sleepers and posts; in construction for beams, rafters, laths, floor boards etc; for cabinet making, lathe work, cart bodies, panels, veneer 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 75% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 15 days[].
The seed has a short viability of less than 3 months in storage[].

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