Common Name:

General Information

Phyllarthron bojeranum is an evergreen tree usually growing 8 - 20 metres tall, but excepionally up to 40 metres. The usually straight bole can be free of branches for up to 15 metres and up to 80cm in diameter; it is sometimes fluted at the base[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food and source of wood. A very decorative tree, it is grown as an ornamental in Madagascar[].

Known Hazards

The roots, heartwood and stem bark contain lapachol and sesamin, both of which are known to cause contact allergies[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - eastern and central Madagascar.

Habitat

Usually found in more humid types of forest, often in littoral forest on sand, but also at elevations up to 1,600 metres, occasionally to 2,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Sunbirds
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The fruits are edible although not very palatable, with a consistency and taste of dried banana[, ]. Rich in vitamins[]. The fruit is a fleshy spindle-shaped berry 6 - 8cm long and around 2cm in diameter, covered with sticky resin[].

Medicinal

The stem bark is used in traditional medicine to treat diarrhoea, inflammations, wounds and cough[].

The leaves are applied externally to treat sores, including syphilitic sores and genital warts[, , ]. Leaf decoctions are administered against blennorrhoea, and as antineuralgic and relaxant. Men drink tea made from the leaves to treat impotence[].

The roots, heartwood and stem bark contain lapachol, a known elicitor of contact dermatitis[].
The roots and heartwood also contain sesamin, which also may cause contact allergy[].
Several iridoid and phenethyl glycosides were isolated from the leaves, as well as flavonoids[]

Other Uses

The heartwood is yellowish brown; it is distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The grain is straight, sometimes slightly interlocked, texture moderately fine. The wood is very heavy, tough and very durable. It air dries very slowly with little degrade, although there is a slight tendency to surface checking; the rates of shrinkage from green to oven dry are quite high. The wood is rather difficult to saw and work, the use of stellite-tipped sawteeth is recommended; it can be finished to a smooth surface; pre-boring is needed when nailing; it glues, stains and polishes satisfactorily. It is very durable. It is resistant to impregnation with preservatives. It is traditionally used for the handles of weapons, especially of assegais. It is also in demand for bridges, fence posts, mine props and railway sleepers because of its durability. It is suitable for heavy flooring and framework, joinery, interior trim, vehicle bodies, sporting goods, toys, novelties, agricultural implements and turnery[].

Propagation

Seed -

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