There has been considerable confusion over this genus, with one to three species being recognised. We have followed the treatment in Sida, volume 15, which recognises two species - this one, which ranges from Argentina to Mexico, and P. Brasiliensis from coastal Brazil. It has been assumed that the uses of the wood are similar for the two species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Phyllostylon rhamnoides is a tree with a long, narrow crown; it can grow from 5 - 24 metres tall[]. The tree can vary considerably in height, with specimens in Guatemala, for example, scarcely reaching 10 metres whilst in the Dominican Republic they can attain a height of 24 metres with a bole 70cm in diameter[, ]. The bole is buttressed[].
The trees are harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Argentina north to the West Indies and through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Scrub forest and thorn scrub forest, often on calcareous soils and on brushy rocky soils in central America. In South America it occurs in moist lowland forest and open savannahs and in woods on clay soils[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations from near sea level to over 1,000 metres.

Edible Uses

Seed[]. No more information is given.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is lemon-yellow, sometimes with a tinge of brown, occasionally with dark streaks; it is not clearly defined from the sapwood, which is yellowish or nearly white[, ]. The wood is hard and heavy; the texture is fine and uniform; the grain fairly straight but sometimes irregular; without distinctive odour or taste; highly resistant to insect attack[, ]. The wood is reported to be not difficult to work; readily turned and carved; it can be stained satisfactorily and takes a high polish[]. It glues well, holds nails and screws well although pre-boring is advisable with thin stock[]. It has been suggested as a substitute for boxwood (Buxus spp.)[]. It is used for making weaver's shuttles, rulers and piano keys[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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