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[, ].

Common Name:

General Information

Ochrosia oppositifolia is a tree usually growing from 6 - 25 metres tall, though it can range from as small as 2.5 metres up to 45 metres, exceptionally to 60 metres. The bole can be 50cm in diameter, sometimes with small buttresses[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use, mainly as a food and medicine, but also for its wood and fibre. It is grown as an ornamental, being valued for the shade it provides[].

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[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea to the western Pacific.

Habitat

Coastal forest, bush or open localities, only occasionally far inland, often on limestone, at elevations up to 100 metres[]. Coastal vegetation on sandy and rocky shores[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	18.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The fruits have a thick, fibrous mesocarp which allows them to float and be dispersed by sea currents[].

Edible Uses

The fruit contains two flat, edible seeds that taste rather like coconut[].

Medicinal

The leaves are febrifuge, stomachic and tonic[]. A leaf decoction is used to wash the abdomen of women after childbirth[].

The seeds are used in the treatment of bilious disorders, in particular as an antidote to the effect of eating poisonous fish or crabs[].

The bark is bitter, febrifuge and stomachic[, ]. A decoction is taken to purify the blood, as an appetizer, purgative and carminative, and in high doses as an abortifacient[].

The wood is febrifugal and stomachi[]. Cups made from the wood will give a bitter taste to drinks when allowed to stand for some time. The drinks are then taken as a stomachic[].

The root is used in the treatment of bilious disorders, in particular as an antidote to the effect of eating poisonous fish or crabs[].

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[].
The main compounds present in the bark of Ochrosia oppositifolia are reserpiline, isoreserpiline and ochropposine. Numerous other indole alkaloids have been recorded in the bark, including epi-rauvanine, bleekerine, ochropposinine, reserpinine and isoreserpinine, but no ellipticine or derivatives[].
The principal constituent of the leaves is isoreserpiline, with 10-hydroxy-apparicine and 10-methoxy-apparicine as minor compounds[].

Other Uses

The silky down of the fruit yields a substance used for packing, wadding etc[].

The yellowish-white wood is hard. It is used for construction[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - if the fruits are planted without removal of the pulp then germination is poor and only takes place after about 8 months[].

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