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Useful Tropical Plants

Ochrosia borbonica

J.F.Gmel.

Apocynaceae


There has been considerable dispute about whether Ochrosia and Neisosperma are distinct genera. We are following the treatment by Hendrian in Revision of Ochrosia (Apocynaceae) in Malesia; Blumea 49: pp 101-128; 2004 - here they are treated as two sections of the genus Ochrosia[
1037
Title
Revision of Ochrosia (Apocynaceae) in Malesia
Publication
Blumea 49: pp 101-128
Author
Hendrian
Website
http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/document/564983
Publisher
 
Year
2004
ISBN
0006-5196
Description
A detailed revision of the genus Ochrosia in Malesia.
,
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Cerbera borbonica (J.F.Gmel.) Spreng.

Cerbera maculata (Jacq.) Willd.

Cerbera undulata Andrews

Chassalia clusiifolia DC.

Coffea clusiifolia (DC.) D.Dietr.

Diderota amphicarpa Comm. ex A.DC.

Lactaria borbonica (J.F.Gmel.) Koidz.

Lactaria maculata (Jacq.) Kuntze

Ochrosia maculata Jacq.

Ochrosia undulata Bojer

Ophioxylon ochrosia Pers.

Rauvolfia striata Poir.

Tabernaemontana obtusa Sm.

Tanghinia maculata (Jacq.) G.Don

Common Name:

Ochrosia borbonica
Drawing of the leaves, flowers, fruit and seed
Photograph by: Trimen, H., A hand-book to the flora of Ceylon, Atlas, t. 60 (1893-1898) [H. DeAlwis]
Creative Commons License
Ochrosia borbonica Ochrosia borbonica Ochrosia borbonica Ochrosia borbonica

General Information

Ochrosia borbonica is a tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall. The bole can be up to 40cm in diameter, containing a white latex[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The plant is a popular and commonly used medicinal plant in Mauritius and Réunion, where it is commonly harvested from the wild for local use. It also provides a useful timber[
605
Title
Flore de L'Ile de la Reunion
Publication
 
Author
E. Jacob De Cordemoy
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Librairie Medicale & Scientifique; Paris.
Year
1895
ISBN
 
Description
Not really a flora, more a list of the plants known at that time. It often includes a brief description of habit and habitat, plus the local uses of the plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. This species is said to be cultivated for its medicinal use in China, However, the identity of Ochrosia borbonica is somewhat doubtful[
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.
].
Less than 50 individuals are known on Mauritius. The species is also rare and scattered in forests on Réunion. The plant is currently classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013), though more information may indicate 'Critically Endangered' is a more appropriate category[
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

Although we have no specific records of toxicity, it is worth noting that the sap of several species in this genus is toxic[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Botanical References


Range

Africa - Mauritius, Réunion.

Habitat

Forests, at elevations up to 1,250 metres[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusEndangered
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitTree
Height12.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details



The plant usually flowers virtually throughout the year[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The fruits float with their thick fibrous mesocarp and are dispersed by sea currents. Likewise, the seeds float because of cavities in the endocarp. The seeds germinate readily when washed ashore[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Natural regeneration of Ochrosia borbonica is very slow. It is also often not more than a shrub in the semi-arid vegetation[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A small piece of the bitter-tasting bark is boiled and the decoction is sweetened with honey and is drunk to treat loss of appetite, hypotension and constipation, and to reduce fever in conditions that include malaria[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
,
605
Title
Flore de L'Ile de la Reunion
Publication
 
Author
E. Jacob De Cordemoy
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Librairie Medicale & Scientifique; Paris.
Year
1895
ISBN
 
Description
Not really a flora, more a list of the plants known at that time. It often includes a brief description of habit and habitat, plus the local uses of the plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The bark, soaked in wine, is taken daily to purify the blood; the bark[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. Soaked in rum or water, it is taken before meals to reduce stomach cramps[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. The bark, boiled with the leaves, is taken to treat fever. It is also widely taken as a tonic and stomachic and is applied against stomach cramps, as a bath or drink[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
, 605. It is also used against childhood eczema, which is locally known as 'tambave'[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Research on active constituents in Ochrosia has focused on anticancer compounds following the isolation of the indole alkaloids ellipticine, elliptinine, 9-methoxy-ellipticine and isoreserpiline from the Asian species Ochrosia elliptica[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Many Ochrosia species have since been subject to investigation of their alkaloid content, and the production of ellipticine in in-vitro grown callus from Ochrosia elliptica has been successful[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The bark of Ochrosia borbonica is rich in indole alkaloids and contains mainly ellipticine, 9-methoxy-ellipticine, reserpiline and isoreserpiline. Ellipticine and 9-methoxy-ellipticine show antitumour properties, but also disturb biological membranes, which makes their utilization in medicines impossible[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. Semisynthetic derivatives show higher activities against cancer cells and are less toxic. So far, only one ellipticine derivative, celiptium® (N-methyl-9-hydroxy-ellipticine, as acetate salt) has been introduced onto the market for treatment of metastatic breast cancer. This drug also shows significant activity against several leukaemia and melanoma cell lines. Ellipticine derivatives and analogues are also reversible non-competitive inhibitors of cholinesterases and interact with muscarine receptors[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The ellipticine derivative hydroxy-methyl-ellipticine shows strong antiviral activities and is being extensively screened in clinical anti-Aids treatments[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Other Uses

A white latex is obtained from the bole[
605
Title
Flore de L'Ile de la Reunion
Publication
 
Author
E. Jacob De Cordemoy
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Librairie Medicale & Scientifique; Paris.
Year
1895
ISBN
 
Description
Not really a flora, more a list of the plants known at that time. It often includes a brief description of habit and habitat, plus the local uses of the plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. No uses are mentioned.

The wood has been used as timber for making household utensils[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]..

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-06. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ochrosia+borbonica>

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