Common Name:

General Information

Pisonia umbellifera is an evergreen tree with a spreading crown; usually growing from 4 - 20 metres tall, but with exceptional specimens to 28 metres[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is sometimes grown as a hedge and an ornamental, especially a cultivated form with variegated leaves[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Africa - Madagascar; E. Asia - southern China, Andaman Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to Australia.

Habitat

Moist thickets, open forests; low to medium elevations[]. Coastal areas, but also in everwet or monsoon forest, along river banks, creeks, on sandy clay, sandy and rocky soils, at low elevations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained soil rich in potassium and a position in full sun or light shade[, ]. Succeeds in dry soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
The flowers are very fragrant[].
Most members of this genus are dioecious and require both male and female forms if they are to produce fruit[]. This fruit exudes an incredibly sticky mucous that is unaffected by water[]. This mucous sticks to insects and birds, which then become trapped. Larger birds can usually free themselves, though they will often lose some feathers, and they will also have transported the seed to a new location where it can germinate[]. Small birds and insects, however, are unable to escape and usually die[]. Some reports say that this species is sterile and does not produce flowers or seed[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Salt made from the ashes of the leaves and bark is added to many herbal medicines[].

The leaves are used, like those of Pisonia aculeata, to treat rheumatic pains[]. A decoction of the leaves is used as a treatment against poisoning by certain marine fishes[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant cam be grown as a hedge and to form a screen[].
The leaves are used as a green manure[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings of mature wood.
Cuttings of greenwood, rooted with bottom heat.
Layering.

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