Common Name:

General Information

Simarouba versicolor is an evergreen tree with a roundish crown; it can grow 5 - 11 metres tall[]. The short, cylindrical bole can be 30 - 60cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine, insecticide and source of wood and fibre.

Known Hazards

The bark and the leaves are poisonous[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern, central and northern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Found mainly in open areas and woods with well-drained soils in savannah areas and scrubland[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[].
Seedling plants establish reasonably well after planting out[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[].

Medicinal

The bark is anthelmintic[]. It is used in the treatment of intestinal worms and also in the treatment of snake bites[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is used for making ropes, oakum and paper[].

An insecticide can be obtained from the bark[]. The powdered bark can be used[].

The wood is light, porous, with poor mechanical properties, not durable when exposed to the elements but resistant to the attacks of termites[]. It is used for internal carpentry, toys, coffins, toothpicks and plywood interiors[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. Sow in a sunny position in nursery seedbeds or individual pots, covering the seed with 1cm of compost[]. Germination rates are usually low, occurring in 4 - 6 weeks[]. Pot seedlings up when 5 - 6cm tall , they should be ready to plant out about 6 - 7 months later[].

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