Sideroxylon stevensonii
(Standl.) Standl. & Steyerm.
Sapotaceae
Bumelia stevensonii (Standl.) Stearn
Dipholis stevensonii Standl.
Sideroxylon rufotomentosum Standl.
Common Name:
General Information
Sideroxylon stevensonii is an evergreen tree that can grow from 10 - 55 metres tall. The bole can be up to 90cm in diameter[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
,
1983- Title
- Sapotaceae
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica Monograph 52
- Author
- Pennington T.D.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden; New York
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-89327-344-9
- Description
-
].
The tree is commonly tapped as a sourde of chicle, and its yield is said to compare favorably with that obtained from the main source of chicle, Manilkara zapota[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
The habitats of Sideroxylon stevensonii are declining as a consequence of deforestation, extensive agriculture, livestock ranching and forest fires. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[
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
None known
Botanical References
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
,
1983- Title
- Sapotaceae
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica Monograph 52
- Author
- Pennington T.D.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden; New York
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-89327-344-9
- Description
-
Range
C. America - Belize, Guatemala to southern Mexico (Chiapas).
Habitat
Rainforest, from low to medium elevations[
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.
]. Moist or wet mixed forests, at elevations below 850 metres[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 18.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The white flowers are scented[
1983- Title
- Sapotaceae
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica Monograph 52
- Author
- Pennington T.D.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden; New York
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-89327-344-9
- Description
-
].
Edible Uses
The tree is tapped as a source of a latex that can be made into gum. Its uses are said to be the same as that obtained from Manilkara zapota, as detailed below:-
A milky latex that is obtained from the stems coagulates into chicle, the principal constituent of chewing gum before the advent of synthetic alternatives[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The tree is tapped as a source of a latex that can be made into gum. Its uses are said to be the same as that obtained from Manilkara zapota, as detailed below:-
A milky latex that is obtained from the stems coagulates into chicle, the principal constituent of chewing gum before the advent of synthetic alternatives[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. The gum is also used in transmission belts, dental surgery, and as a substitute for gutta-percha, a coagulum of the latex of Palaquium spp[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Chicle gum is obtained from oblique cuts or slashes made in the trunk of the tree during the rainy months. From these cuts there issues a milky latex which must be coagulated by heat, and formed into solid blocks for export[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
